Use Your Experiences to Encourage Others
By Rick Warren
“Encourage one another and help one another.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (GNT)
God wants you to build up, motivate, and inspire other people. The Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:11, “Encourage one another and help one another” (GNT).
How do you do that? When you share your experiences and about how God worked in your life, it gives people hope. When you’ve gone through the same situation someone else is facing, you can reassure them that God will get them through it too. You’re able to help them overcome their fears and break down barriers.
When you share your experiences with other people, you help take away their fears. It’s kind of like riding a roller coaster. When you go to an amusement park and stand in line for one of those huge roller coasters for the first time, you’re thinking, “Is this a smart decision?” Then the person in front of you turns around and says, “This is a great ride. I’ve been on it five times.” So then you’re thinking, “Okay, I’m going to live. He’s done it five times. It’s got to be okay.”
Hearing from someone who’s already gone through what you’re facing is an inspiration. It’s motivational.
How many first-time parents feel scared to death, unprepared, and inadequate? All of them! They’re grateful when somebody comes along and says, “Babies cry. It’s okay. This is normal.” Their fears don’t seem so daunting when others share how they came through similar experiences. It gives them hope!
You also help people break through barriers when you motivate them with your own experience. On May 6, 1954, Roger Bannister became the first man to run a sub-four-minute mile. Before he did it, everybody said it was impossible. Yet, the very next month, another man joined him under four minutes. And the following year, three men achieved the same feat during one race. Because people realized it wasn’t impossible, and it gave them hope that they could do it too.
You have experiences in your life that could be barrier-busting, inspirational, and motivational to other people—but only if you’re willing to share them.
Don’t waste any of your experiences. Use them to encourage others and give them hope!
PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
Be Encouraged Each Day to Live Out God’s Purposes
As thanks for your gift below to help share the gospel with more people around the world through Daily Hope, we’ll send you Pastor Rick’s new book, Daily Hope Devotional: 365 Days of Purpose, Peace, and Promise.
Each devotional starts out with a Bible verse, followed by teaching that explains God’s Word and shows you how to apply it daily so you can face any challenge and live the life you were created to live.
As a special bonus when you give, we’ll also send you What's Driving Your Life?: A 10-Day Turnaround for a Fresh Start. Featuring 10 hand-picked devotions from Pastor Rick’s new book, they’ll guide anyone feeling stressed, worried, or discouraged toward seeking God for a fresh start.
Request your copy below when you give—and take the first step towards a year of real purpose, lasting peace, and unfailing promises.
Thank you for your partnership!
*The USA IRS code permits you to deduct the amount of your financial gift to Daily Hope that exceeds the fair market value of materials you received from Daily Hope.
This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
You can listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.
