An anxious heart weighs a man down
but a kind word cheers him up Proverbs12:25
As stress levels are on the increase, our support structures are on the decrease. Longer hours means we spend less time with our families who strengthen us. When both spouses work it is harder for them to support each other. With people's increasing desire for privacy, they are not letting people get close to them, and people are not willing to intrude.
We are getting lonelier and lonelier and with the loneliness comes discouragement.
Stress can break us. Encouragement reverses the effects of stress. To speak a kind word costs us very little and to encourage someone only takes a bit of time. Can you think of someone who has really encouraged you? Can you remember how much it meant?
Maybe you can take a moment to pick up the phone, drop by someone's office or room, or send of an email and say:
"You're doing a great job!" or
"Thank you for what you're doing - you're making a difference" or
"You're a great wife/hubbie and I'm so glad to have you in my life"
or
"You're a fantastic son/daughter and I'm proud of you."
It will make a difference!
Don't hesitate.... JUST DO IT!
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Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
