It’s been a long day, and it’s only 10am.

A bill you didn’t expect, an ugly comment by a co-worker, a long to-do list with no extra time to finish everything by its deadline. Before you realize it, you’re discouraged, stressed out or just plain angry at the injustices of life.

It’s time for your encouragement file.6a00d8341c339953ef00e54f41f2168834-640wi

The EF is a folder where you place all the affirming emails, greeting cards or notes you’ve received from people through the years. Maybe it’s a pretty picture that gave you joy. Maybe someone wrote an email about a blessing they received from your work. Maybe it was a note that someone took the time to send you – just because.

Browsing through your Encouragement File helps to keep you from too much focus on the daily bundles of stress. It lifts your spirits and reminds you that at one time, someone felt you were important to the Kingdom of God.

Then it helps you believe that those times will come again. Maybe even today. Maybe right now.

Keeping an Encouragement File also reminds us of the importance of encouraging others. If we feel good when we’re encouraged, imagine the amount of good we can do for another soul by sending an affirming email, a pretty card or a note of some kind.

Some folks just have the natural gifting to encourage others. Some of us have to work at it. But it’s an important skill to develop and then to also receive.

“Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus.” Romans 15:5

2013 GateWay of Hope Ministries