“I like you. You are… very good person,” she says as we walk together around our apartment building.

She is from a different faith community, dressed conservatively with her head covered by a dupatta. Her English is not perfect, but her warmth is evident even through her faltering words.

Naziha (name changed) and I sometimes meet each other on our morning walks. I’m usually listening to Tim Keller or Jen Wilkin on my air pods and hoping to get my 10K steps in for the day. She doesn’t seem to have earphones and probably doesn’t have the faintest idea about Christian preachers in America—but she has kind words for everyone she meets.

That’s something I can learn from this woman who is vastly different from me: She is uncensored when it comes to sharing encouraging words.

Naziha has a gift of noticing positive traits in people and then calling those things out. She speaks to others’ strengths, whether it is our fellow walkers’ culinary talents or how well they parent, or their business skills.

In observing Naziha, I’ve felt convicted about how I often breeze past encouraging others. I’m not talking about flattering someone or merely doling out superfluous compliments. Those words are, at their core, self-serving and typically used to get in others’ good books.

I’m speaking of using our words to genuinely bless someone by calling out their strengths, championing someone when they are fighting alone, and being a cheerleader for someone who feels unseen. 

1 Thessalonians 5:11 says: “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (emphasis, mine)

Do you notice what the Apostle Paul does here with his words addressed to the church in Thessalonica? He tells them to encourage each other while he encourages them through his words, “just as in fact you are doing.” He notices that the believers are doing an A+ job in building each other up, and says to them, “Keep it going, guys.”

Again, in the book of Ephesians, Paul addresses the readers of the epistle as “God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus.” (emphasis, mine).

Paul is not trying to suck up to his readers or win their approval. In fact, he says quite plainly, “If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1: 10). Instead, Paul encourages God’s work in and through these believers. Of course, Paul uses his discernment and wisdom while speaking to them: In many instances, Paul’s words are unflinchingly honest, serving to sandpaper the rough edges of those he is addressing.

Yet, when affirming people’s strengths, Paul isn’t begrudging or inhibited.

That leaves me with the question: Am I exhorting and encouraging others as the Bible commands?

Often, we think about cheering someone on, but we forget to follow it up with words or actions. But is it mere forgetfulness?

Do we edit our encouragement because we think that acknowledging someone else’s gift may detract from our own talents?

Do we edit our encouragement because we don’t want the other person to think they are “better” than us in some regard?

Do we edit our encouragement because our ‘cool’ and ‘poised’ self-image may crumble if we gush over others’ achievements?

If that kinda, sorta rings true for you, I would submit that, instead of putting it off for “later,” call out the gifts you see in others right now.

Tell that friend that you love the way she takes care of her home. Tell your child’s teacher that her kindness to your kid means the world to you. Tell your mom she is a good nurturer and role model. Tell the salesperson that her cheerfulness made your day. Tell your pastor that his message spoke to your heart and exhorted you to live for the Lord.

Instead of looking for the spec of dust in people’s eyes, look for the spark of something special in them.

Notice it and call it out. This is not sweet talk. This is not flattery. This is the gift of encouragement that God has put in you so you can cheer people on in their calling.

Jesus saw a bunch of weather-beaten fishermen and saw the potential in them to become fishers of men. He met a rejected woman at a well in Samaria and knew that she would be instrumental in telling others about Him. He took an impetuous man who once stepped out of a boat and told him that He would build the church upon him. He found a tax collector spying on Him from a tree and invited Himself over to his house.

Jesus spoke encouragement through His words and actions. And He calls us to do the same. May we not underestimate the power of encouragement to lift up those who feel unseen, unloved and unincluded.

Just like my morning walk with Naziha, I hope to remember that “Kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.” (Proverbs 16:24).

What opportunities for blessing others lie before you today? Who will you intentionally encourage this week? How will you cheer her on to be all God called her to be? 

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