Read
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
Hebrews 3:13 (NIV)
Reflect
We live in a world where insults are so much easier to offer than encouragement. We seldom have trouble finding something to criticize. When someone disappoints us, the words seem to come almost effortlessly. But when someone does something good, we’re often silent. We notice what goes wrong while overlooking what goes right.
Perhaps it’s because it’s so hard to come up with words of encouragement. Or perhaps we’re so caught up in our own lives that we forget how much a few kind words can mean to someone else. We assume people already know we appreciate them, so we don’t bother to tell them.
But encouragement is more than simply making someone feel good. In Hebrews 3, we’re reminded that encouragement helps keep us from becoming hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. The writer points to the Israelites, who witnessed God’s faithfulness again and again but still allowed their hearts to harden through unbelief and disobedience.
That’s why we’re told to encourage one another daily. We need people in our lives who will remind us of God’s goodness, strengthen us when we’re discouraged, and help us stay faithful when we’re tempted to wander.
And encouragement doesn’t always mean offering a compliment. Sometimes it means reminding someone not to give up. Sometimes it means offering a loving correction when they’re headed in the wrong direction. And sometimes it means simply being there when someone is hurting.
Still, there’s certainly a place for a few encouraging words. If you have trouble finding them, let me offer you a handful of phrases to use with the people in your life:
- “I really appreciate what you did.”
- “You’ve been such a blessing to me.”
- “I admire the way you’ve handled this.”
- “Thank you for being there when I needed you.”
- “I know this is difficult, but don’t give up.”
- “I’m praying for you.”
- “Your faithfulness hasn’t gone unnoticed.”
- “I love you.”
None of those statements is particularly complicated. But when they’re sincere, they can make a tremendous difference to someone who needs to hear them.
The important thing is that we use our words to build people up rather than tear them down. That doesn’t mean we should never correct someone or confront something that’s wrong. It means that even when we must speak difficult truths, our purpose should be to help rather than hurt.
And don’t overlook one small but important word in today’s Scripture: “Today.”
The writer of Hebrews doesn’t tell us to encourage one another whenever we happen to think about it. He tells us to do it daily, while it is still called “Today.”
Someone in your life may be struggling more than you realize. Someone may be fighting a battle they’ve never told you about. Someone may simply need to know that somebody notices and cares.
So don’t put off those words of encouragement. Make the call. Send the message. Say the words. Tomorrow may give you another opportunity. But you have today.
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Reflection copyright © 2026 Doug DeBolt and Charles Fulton.
