Our world is full of words that bring down and destroy, and because of envy and fear there are a few people who genuinely encourage others. However, Christians are to be people who always have a good word to build to heal and encourage others. What's more, there are people who are given the gift of encouraging because God knows how badly we all need good building up words! The value of an encouragement is tremendous and in times of need a simple word like that can make the difference between despair and hope, between life and death, between a good future and a cut wings future. If you are one of those nice encouragers, you have surely experienced situations when you lifted up someone doing your best to support them in difficult times but when your hard time came, that very person turned his back against you or even worse, he caused you harm. It is a painful situation but look back, hasn't God sent other encouragers to lift you up? Of course He did! I have experienced that and I am sure you have, if not yet, you most likely will, just to see that if you lift others up, God will use even your enemies to lift you up! You see, God doesn't necessarily work as we'd expect Him to! You show your care by making others realize their value and bringing light over their qualities since to love one another is the measure of our good deeds. If we'll burn our bodies as a sacrifice but without love, the gesture equals nothing in the eyes of God. Encouragement is soul food for people and what we ripe is what we sow that's why by being a true encourager, looking for good in people, finding fresh ways of appreciating the qualities they are endowed with, first of all we are refreshed ourselves by the joy we see displayed on their faces! We are rewarded before they are encouraged, just because we saw them built up and re-energized! Do not think that if you deal with successful people, they do not need to be encouraged! The greater the level of blessing, the greater the level of the battle and all of us need encouragement at times! "The right word spoken at the right time is as pleasing to hear, as gold apples in a silver bowl are beautiful to behold." - Proverbs 25:11. God Himself knows how important spiritual support is that's why He gave encouragement in His Church as a gift; certain people in the Church have the gift of encouraging: "We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Romans 12:6-8. One can also boost the effect of encouragement. For instance if you compliment someone immediately after their singing performance for example, it is a good thing but if let's say you didn't have the chance to tell them how well you thought he performed, mentioning and encouraging him a week later will have double effect because it means that it stayed on your mind and even a week later you reminded! There is a normal tendency to stop encouraging if you see that the person you give your good words to does not seem to appreciate and on the contrary you feel they disregard it. Use wisdom of course but remember that you might have not paid attention yourself when someone came to give you a good word, maybe you were simply distracted. However, it is not polite to discount somebody who sincerely wants to encourage you. If you are in a hurry or so, make sure you at least mention that "You'd love to stay more but..." To conclude with, encouraging is GOD given and very valuable, that's why when it becomes a way of life it nurtures not only the people it brings a boost to, but also the recipient of this precious gift.