Encouraging Those in Need

Meta Description

A few encouraging words can make a difference in someone’s day. Learn how God can use your words, kindness, prayers, and presence to bring hope to someone who needs it most.

---

Encouraging Those in Need

You never really know what someone is carrying.

The person smiling at you may have cried before leaving home.

The person who says, “I’m doing good,” may actually be struggling.

The person who seems to have everything together may be praying for someone to notice that they are not okay.

That is why I believe encouragement is so important.

We all need it.

I know I do.

There are days when I am feeling good, everything is going well, and I am ready to take on the day. Then there are other days when a few encouraging words are exactly what I need.

Sometimes it may be a family member.

Sometimes a friend.

Sometimes someone at church.

Sometimes God may even use someone I barely know.

They say exactly what I needed to hear without even knowing I needed it.

That reminds me that encouragement does not always happen by accident.

Sometimes God puts someone on our hearts because He wants us to reach out.

That is why I like to ask Him:

“God, who do You want me to encourage today?”

Or:

“Lord, what do You want me to do today?”

If there is someone who needs encouragement, I want God to use me.

I want Him to give me the right words.

At the same time, I am not too proud to admit that sometimes I need someone to encourage me too.

We all do.

You Don’t Have to Know Their Whole Story

Sometimes we think we need to know what someone is going through before we can encourage them.

We don’t.

You do not need every detail.

You do not have to know what happened yesterday.

You do not have to know what is happening in their home.

You do not have to know why they seem different today.

Sometimes all you need to do is be kind.

Tell someone, “I hope you have a blessed day.”

Ask, “How are you doing?”

Tell them, “I’m praying for you.”

Let them know, “You were on my mind today.”

Those words may seem small to you, but they may mean everything to someone else.

We have no idea what people are facing behind closed doors.

That is why I want to be careful about how I treat people.

I would rather give someone kindness they did not need than withhold encouragement from someone who desperately needed it.

When God Puts Someone on Your Mind, Reach Out

Have you ever been sitting at home and suddenly someone comes to your mind?

You were not talking about them.

You had not seen them.

But for some reason, you started thinking about them.

I have learned not to always brush those moments off.

Sometimes I will send a text.

Sometimes I will call.

Sometimes I will simply pray for that person.

You never know why God brought them to your mind.

They may be having a difficult day.

They may be waiting for an answer.

They may be dealing with grief.

They may be worried about their family.

They may simply need to know someone cares.

It does not take long to send a message saying, “I was thinking about you today. I hope everything is going well.”

That small message could brighten their entire day.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (KJV)

“Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.”

We are supposed to build each other up.

The world already has enough tearing down.

I want to be someone who builds up.

Encouragement Doesn’t Have to Be a Long Speech

Sometimes we make encouragement harder than it needs to be.

We think we have to come up with the perfect words.

We think we need a long speech.

We think we need to know exactly what to say.

You don’t.

Sometimes the best encouragement is simple.

“I believe in you.”

“Keep going.”

“God has not forgotten you.”

“I’m here if you need me.”

“I’m praying for you.”

“You are doing better than you think.”

Those few words can carry someone through a difficult moment.

There are also times when encouragement does not require many words at all.

Maybe someone just needs you to sit beside them.

Maybe they need someone to listen without interrupting.

Maybe they need a hug.

Maybe they need you to pray with them.

Encouragement is not always about saying more.

Sometimes it is about being present.

Listen Before You Try to Fix It

This is important.

When someone comes to us with a problem, our first reaction may be to try to fix it.

We start giving advice.

We tell them what we think they should do.

We try to find a solution.

But sometimes people are not asking us to fix anything.

They just need someone to listen.

I am learning that listening can be one of the greatest forms of encouragement.

Give people room to talk.

Let them tell you how they feel.

You do not have to have every answer.

And it is okay to say, “I don’t know what to say, but I’m here.”

Sometimes that is more comforting than giving advice they did not ask for.

God may not have sent you to solve their problem.

He may have sent you simply to remind them that they are not alone.

Let God Speak Through You

When I encourage someone, I do not want it to be about me.

I want God to speak through me.

There may be something He wants that person to hear.

That is why prayer matters.

Before speaking, I can quietly ask:

“Lord, give me the right words.”

I do not want to speak from emotion and make the situation worse.

I do not want to say something just because it sounds good.

I want what I say to bring hope.

Comfort.

Peace.

Strength.

And most importantly, point them back to God.

Proverbs 16:24 (KJV)

“Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”

Our words have power.

We can use them to make someone’s difficult day a little easier.

Sometimes You Will Be the One Who Needs Encouragement

I never want to write this as though I am always the person doing the encouraging.

I’m not.

Sometimes I need encouragement too.

There are moments when I need someone to remind me:

“Keep going.”

“God has you.”

“Everything is going to work out.”

And I am grateful for the people God has placed in my life who can do that for me.

We should never become so strong for everyone else that we feel ashamed to admit when we need someone.

Encouragers need encouragement.

People who pray for others need prayer.

People who help others sometimes need help.

There is nothing wrong with that.

God created us to support one another.

Today I may be encouraging you.

Tomorrow you may be encouraging me.

That is how we help each other keep moving.

Your Testimony Can Encourage Someone

You do not have to be a preacher to encourage someone.

Sometimes all you have to do is tell them what God has already done for you.

If God brought you through a difficult season, share it when He gives you the opportunity.

If He answered a prayer, tell someone.

If He gave you peace during a hard time, let someone know.

Your testimony may be exactly what another person needs to hear.

They may be facing something you already survived.

When they hear that God brought you through, it gives them hope that He can bring them through too.

That is one reason I believe our stories matter.

They are not only for us.

God can use what we have been through to strengthen somebody else.

And when I share what He has done for me, I do not want the glory.

I want Him to receive it.

Because He is the One who brought me through.

Sometimes Encouragement Looks Like Action

Words are powerful, but sometimes encouragement goes beyond what we say.

Sometimes people need us to show up.

Maybe someone is going through a difficult time and needs a meal.

Maybe an older family member needs help with something around the house.

Maybe someone is grieving and does not want to be alone.

Maybe a friend is overwhelmed and could use a helping hand.

We can tell people we care about them, but our actions can show that love in another way.

It does not always have to involve money either.

Giving your time can be encouragement.

Making a phone call can be encouragement.

Checking on someone can be encouragement.

Helping someone complete a task can be encouragement.

Showing up when you said you would can be encouragement.

There are many ways God can use us if we are willing.

Sometimes I think we are waiting for a big opportunity to make a difference when God is showing us little opportunities every day.

Pay attention to them.

Don’t Judge Someone’s Difficult Season

If we are going to encourage people, we have to be careful not to judge them while they are going through something.

Everybody handles situations differently.

What may seem small to you may feel very heavy to someone else.

We should not tell someone, “You should be over that by now.”

We should not compare their pain to ours.

We should not make them feel bad because they are struggling.

Instead, show compassion.

You may not understand exactly what they are experiencing, but you can still care.

Jesus showed compassion to people.

If I am trying to represent Him, I should do the same.

Sometimes encouragement sounds like:

“I may not understand everything you’re going through, but I’m here.”

That lets someone know they do not have to explain or defend their feelings before you show them love.

Notice the People Others Overlook

There are people around us every day who may feel invisible.

The quiet person in the room.

The person sitting alone.

The coworker nobody really talks to.

The person at church who comes in and leaves without saying much.

The family member who always checks on everybody else but rarely gets checked on.

Pay attention to those people.

You never know when God may be asking you to notice someone everyone else has overlooked.

A simple conversation can make a difference.

“How have you been?”

“It’s good to see you.”

“I’ve been thinking about you.”

Those words tell someone, I see you.

I believe we can become so busy with our own lives that we stop noticing the people around us.

I do not want to live that way.

If God puts someone in my path who needs encouragement, I want to be available.

Let Your Light Shine Through How You Treat People

Encouragement is another way we can let our light shine.

Matthew 5:16 (KJV)

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

I want my light to shine wherever I go.

Not only at church.

Not only around people who already know God.

Everywhere.

At the store.

At an appointment.

Around family.

With friends.

Even in a quick conversation with a stranger.

You never know when someone is watching how you respond, how you treat people, or how you handle a situation.

I want people to see something different in me.

Not so they can praise me.

I want them to see God.

If a kind word opens the door for someone to experience God’s love, I want to give that word.

If a smile makes someone’s day a little brighter, I can smile.

If God tells me to encourage somebody, I want to do it.

We do not have to make everything complicated.

Sometimes showing God’s love is simply treating people the way we would want to be treated.

Don’t Wait Until Someone Is Falling Apart

Sometimes we wait until we know someone is struggling before we encourage them.

Why wait?

Encourage people while they are doing well too.

Tell your family you appreciate them.

Tell your friends you are grateful for them.

Celebrate someone’s progress.

Tell someone when you see them doing a good job.

Encouragement should not only come during hard times.

People need to hear good things while they are still standing.

You never know what private battle someone is fighting anyway.

That person who looks strong may need encouragement just as much as the person who is openly struggling.

So give people their flowers while they can enjoy them.

Tell them you appreciate them now.

Let them know they matter now.

Do not wait.

Make Encouragement Part of Your Day

Imagine what could happen if each of us encouraged just one person every day.

One person.

It does not sound like much.

But think about how many lives could be touched over time.

I want to start my day asking God:

“Who can I encourage today?”

Maybe He will give me someone’s name.

Maybe I will meet someone unexpectedly.

Maybe He will simply tell me to pray for somebody.

Whatever He asks, I want to be willing.

I do not want to become so busy with my schedule that I miss an opportunity God placed directly in front of me.

Encouragement does not have to take an hour.

Sometimes it only takes a minute.

But that minute could stay with someone for the rest of the day.

Give the Kind of Encouragement You Would Want to Receive

I think about the words that help me when I am having a difficult day.

I appreciate someone telling me they are praying for me.

I appreciate someone checking on me.

I appreciate someone reminding me that God is still working.

So why wouldn’t I give that same encouragement to someone else?

Luke 6:31 (KJV)

“And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.”

That is simple.

Treat people the way you want to be treated.

If you want kindness, give kindness.

If you want encouragement, encourage somebody.

If you want people to check on you, remember to check on others.

If you want prayer, pray for someone else.

We may not always receive it back from the same person, and that is okay.

I am not encouraging people because I expect something in return.

I am doing it because I want to show God’s love.

Final Thoughts

Before you finish reading this post, I want you to think of one person.

Who came to your mind?

Maybe it was a family member.

A friend.

Someone from church.

A coworker.

Someone you have not spoken to in a while.

Do not ignore that name.

Reach out.

You do not need a perfect message.

Simply let them know you were thinking about them.

Ask how they are doing.

Tell them you are praying for them.

Send them a Scripture.

Give them a few encouraging words.

You never know what that small act may mean.

I believe we all need encouragement now and then.

I know I do.

That is why I want to give it as freely as I hope to receive it.

There is already enough negativity in this world.

We do not need to add more.

We can be different.

We can build people up.

We can pray for one another.

We can show compassion.

We can notice people who feel forgotten.

We can let God’s love shine through us.

I want God to use me in that way.

My prayer is simple:

“Lord, if somebody needs encouragement today, use me. Give me the right words. Show me who needs a little extra love. And when I need encouragement, send someone my way too.”

You never know what people are going through.

Your words may be the reminder they needed not to give up.

Your prayer may strengthen their faith.

Your kindness may brighten a day that started in tears.

Your presence may remind them that they are not alone.

So when God allows you to encourage someone, take it.

Let your light shine.

Show God’s love.

And remember that sometimes the smallest words of encouragement can make the biggest difference in someone’s day.

---

Scriptures

• 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (KJV) – “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another…”
• Proverbs 16:24 (KJV) – “Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”
• Matthew 5:16 (KJV) – “Let your light so shine before men…”
• Luke 6:31 (KJV) – “And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.”
• Galatians 6:2 (KJV) – “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”

---

Reflection Questions

• Who has God placed on my heart to encourage today?
• Do I take time to check on the people who are usually checking on everyone else?
• Am I listening when someone needs support, or am I always trying to fix the situation?
• How can I use my words and actions to let God’s light shine?
• When I need encouragement myself, am I willing to receive it from others?

---

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for every person You have used to encourage me when I needed it. Thank You for the calls, messages, prayers, Scriptures, and kind words You have sent my way at just the right time.

Now I ask You to use me to do the same for someone else.

Place the right people on my heart. Give me wisdom to know when to speak, when to listen, when to pray, and when simply to be there. Let the words that come from my mouth bring hope and not hurt, comfort and not judgment.

Help me notice the people who may feel forgotten or overlooked. Do not let me become so busy with my own life that I miss an opportunity to show Your love.

And Lord, when I am the one who needs encouragement, help me receive it. Remind me that I do not always have to be the strong one. Thank You for surrounding me with people who can pour back into me too.

Let my light shine wherever I go. May people experience Your love through the way I speak, the way I serve, and the way I treat them.

Use me to brighten someone’s day and always let You receive the glory.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

With Love,

Ty 🤍
Encouraged by Faith

About the Author

Hi, I’m Ty, founder of Encouraged by Faith. I enjoy sharing God’s Word and everyday encouragement that reminds us to keep trusting Him and showing His love to others. My prayer is that something you read here gives you the encouragement you need—and inspires you to pass that same encouragement along to someone else.