Did you know encouraging others is biblical? In addition, when you encourage others, you reap spiritual self-care benefits, too!
Every time we encourage others, we benefit ourselves. This month we’ll explore the mental, academic, physical, and spiritual self-care benefits of encouraging those around us.

Feeling Far From God
“May I help you?” I checked to make sure I’d tied my purple apron and tucked in my shirt as I approached the customer browsing in the Christian bookstore where I moonlighted 15 hours a week.
“No. I’m fine,” she said with an edge to her voice.
“Let me know if you need anything,” I said with all the kindness I could muster. Why did customers come in so late? I needed to start vacuuming and cleaning the bathroom if I wanted to make it home at a decent hour. Ungraded papers, laundry, and a dozen other chores awaited me when my shift ended.
I felt distant from everything, and at times unable to cope with small worries. Worn-out and wondering what God had in mind for this season of life. God had brought us through Pedro’s catastrophic cancer journey with a miracle. But the financial burden of hospital bills, unemployment, and making ends meet left me exhausted.
Exhausted and feeling secretly resentful. If God could cure Pedro’s cancer, couldn’t he offer financial relief, too? Taking on a second job helped, but the toll of working two jobs had started showing up in small ways. I stopped wearing makeup. My exercise routine turned into nothing more than walking the short block to work each day. I spent less time each morning in prayer.
The customer lingered in front of the artwork. I searched to see if we had any coupons she might use. Maybe a coupon would help her make a decision. The store would close in 15 minutes.
An Unexpected Turn of Events
“If you’re interested in one of the paintings,” I said, holding out a coupon, “here’s a 30% off coupon you could use.”
“I’m not looking for artwork,” she snapped. She turned her back to me and swiped at her eyes. “I need a book.”
“Maybe I could help you find what you need,” I offered as gently as I could.
“My mother has cancer, and she isn’t doing well. I don’t know what I need.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” I said, moving around to face her. “My husband recently had cancer and went through some dark times.”
She nodded her head and pulled a wad of rumpled tissue from her purse to dab her eyes. “It’s just so hard.”
“I know,” I said, putting my arm gently around her shoulders and hugging her.
She stiffened, and then relaxed and nodded.
“May I pray for you and your mom?” I asked.
She nodded again and I launched into a heartfelt prayer for the customer and her mother. As I said ‘amen,’ I head the shop door open, and another customer enter.
“Thank you,” the woman whispered as she stuffed her tissue back in her purse. “I feel so much better now.”
I gave her shoulders one last squeeze and went to help the new customer. As I finished finding the special order for him, I realized I felt better, too. I’d never hugged a stranger nor offered to pray with someone I didn’t know well before.
But in doing so, my own worries and burdens seemed to fade. God had made a way through cancer. He would make a way through this season, too.
Encouraging Others Spiritually as an Act of Spiritual Self-Care
Acts of altruism—whether we give time, objects, money, or encouragement—benefit the giver. Scientists and researchers can now prove this wisdom of the Bible from thousands of years ago (Acts 20:35). When we encourage others, we receive a blessing, too. And if we want to form a habit of spiritual self-care, we’ll want to incorporate encouraging others into our daily routines.

Paul encourages believers to behave with generosity in 2 Corinthians 9:6. “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”
When we make generosity and encouraging others a habit, we participate in one of the simplest acts of spiritual self-care. In looking at the Bible, I discovered four specific ways for encouraging others.
1. Encourage Leaders
“You’re doing such a good job,” one of my coworkers told me. “I’m glad you’re leading out in our outdoor school program.”
Her sweet words brought relief to my frustrated spirit. They also showed me how words of encouragement for leaders can soothe little aches and annoyances. Instead of armchair quarterbacking, we need to look for honest ways to encourage leaders around us.
We see this principle in Deuteronomy 1:38, 3:28, and 2 Samuel 11:25.
When we encourage our leaders, we take ownership in following—which in turn makes it easier for leaders to lead. If you have a bent towards leadership, don’t wear yourself out thinking you have to lead all the things. Allow others to lead, encourage them, and find rest and spiritual self-care in following sometimes.
2. Encouraging Others to Fight the Good Fight
At one point in Pedro’s cancer, when things looked especially bleak, he wanted to go home and die. I remember asking him if he could keep fighting for our girls who needed their daddy. He remembers me telling him he had to keep fighting and he couldn’t give up. No matter how it went down, he felt encouraged by my words and I felt encouraged by his commitment to fighting.
In Judges 20:22 and 2 Samuel 19:7, we see the importance of encouraging others during battle. If you see a fellow believer struggling with something, come alongside them and offer to pray with them and for them. Encourage others instead of making them the topic of your next gab-fest. Building people up offers more benefits than tearing them down.
3. Encourage Others by Coming Alongside Them
Not all encouragement involves words. Sitting and listening to someone in pain does more good than giving advice. We all desire to be heard, and your listening presence provides encouragement.
God models this in Psalm 10:17. “You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry (NIV).” Other translations use the word strengthen instead of encourage. God hears, listens, and strengthens.
Psalm 34:18 gives us another example. “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
We can leave the saving to God, but our compassionate, human presence provides a reminder with skin on it of a God who cares.
Our compassionate, human presence provides a reminder with skin on it of a God who cares. #selfcare #encouragement Click To Tweet4. Encourage Others by Sharing Stories of God’s Provision in Our Lives
When we share our testimonies of God’s grace, power, and goodness, we encourage others. Even better, we remind ourselves of those same things. Remember to share in the proper season, though. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you
When Paul and Silas experience a miraculous release from prison, they go to Lydia’s house and tell their story and encourage others (Acts 16:40).
Micah 6:5b reminds us to “Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of the Lord.” In remembering and sharing we grow our own faith and encourage others.
The Hack for Spiritual Self-Care
The next time you feel burned out spiritually or discouraged by your faith struggles, look for ways to encourage others. Praying for a stranger helped me remember the journey God had brought us through. The act of encouraging someone else also reminded me of God’s faithfulness.
All too often I measure God’s faithfulness by my own yardstick of requirements. I forget I don’t get to dictate how he’ll help. I’m learning to encourage others when I feel weak instead of focusing on myself.
Have you ever experienced spiritual renewal by encoura
I am coming away from this post encouraged to encourage. We never know what impact our words will have.
Michele Morin recently posted…Is Jesus Welcome to Make Another Palm Sunday Entrance?
So true! I look forward to heaven, when I can hear and tell stories of how encouraging words made a difference!
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Spine-Tingling Suspense for Your TBR List
A little encouragement can go a long way – for the encouraged and the encourager.
Barbara Harper recently posted…Easter Teaches Us of New and Better Life
So very true!
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Every Christian Needs to Read The Great Sex Rescue
There are so many people we encounter who we assume are doing well and don’t need our encouragement. Your post is a great reminder that every one needs a pat on the back, a word of praise, comfort and the offer of a helping hand from time to time!
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted…Savour Every Moment
Thanks for stopping by, Corinne! I often write to myself 😉 so I’ll remember to take my own advice!
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Spine-Tingling Suspense for Your TBR List
Anita, this is such a beautiful post. It is always so amazing when God puts people in your path for a reason…even more amazing how we stumble as we try to figure out the why when we really need to just embrace these moments when we have a not so obvious purpose. I really believe that we are meant to encourage and uplift one another. We are a communal species by our very nature and I feel like sometimes we maybe forget that and how important community and mutual support is to all of us. Thanks for always get right down to the heart of things!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
I struggle sometimes to remember that my need for solitude does not exclude me from my needs for community! After spending a week seeing no one but my husband a few hours a day and being confined to a chair (post-surgery recovery stuff), I’m ready for a little community!
Anita Ojeda recently posted…SCH 045 Six Self-Care Hacks for Picking a Hobby You’ll Love
Great reminders, Anita. I’ve always loved the saying how we are Jesus with skin to others. Whether it’s encouragement or unconditional love or mery or giving grace, we’re modeling Jesus.
Karen Friday recently posted…Hope was Always Coming and God Knew
I’m always saddened when I forget to model Jesus. And especially sad when people I love reject Jesus because the majority of Christians in their lives forget to model him.
Anita Ojeda recently posted…How Learning to Savor Will Help You Taste and See That the Lord is Good
Encouraging leaders is an area I have been lacking in for so long. I appreciate the reminder to encourage them. They often only get the complaints and the hard things, and they definitely need encouragement to fortify them!
Rebecca Hastings recently posted…Book Talk: New Reads for This Month
Yeah, I tend to be the one offering up advice or criticisms to leaders, so I’m in need of my own advice!
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Spine-Tingling Suspense for Your TBR List
I love how God can take one simple act of kindness & multiply it. Heavenly mathematics 🧮!
Barb Hegreberg recently posted…6 Word Poetry #13
God’s math is so much better than ours, isn’t it?!
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Want a Stronger Relationship With Your Spouse? Read Before You Split
Wonderful advice, Anita. We should always give away what we wish to receive. By giving compassionate encouragement (and a hug) to a stranger in distress, you made your own spiritual life better too. What an inspiring story!
Laurie recently posted…Wearing the Uniform Is Not the Same As Playing the Game
Thanks for stopping by, Laurie!
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Spine-Tingling Suspense for Your TBR List
What a beautiful story in the bookstore, Anita! I love God-moments like that. And yes, they sure can give us a boost ourselves. I appreciate your encouragement in this area; we all have room to grow in encouraging others.
Lisa notes recently posted…Share Four Somethings—March 2021
Thanks for stopping by, Lisa! You are always an encouragement to ME!
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Every Christian Needs to Read The Great Sex Rescue
It does help us when we encourage others. I have experienced this many times before. It reminds me of going outside. I don’t always think it will help me feel better, but it always does. I don’t consciously think encouraging others will help me, but after I do it, I feel the benefit to myself in my mood. The area I need to work at is #3. “Not all encouragement involves words. Sitting and listening to someone in pain does more good than giving advice.”
Theresa Boedeker recently posted…Spiritual Shame: What It Is and How to Conquer It
The older I get the more I understand both encouraging others and going outside ;). I haven’t been outside for a week now, and I’m really starting to yearn for a nice walk outdoors!
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Spine-Tingling Suspense for Your TBR List
kind words act like a balm for a sore heart.
Jyoti recently posted…The Wellness Sense by Om Swami #bookreview
Anita, Encouragement is a powerful thing. Thank you for the reminders you share in this post. Being attuned to God’s spirit can open the door to surprising opportunities to help others with an encouraging word and, sometimes even a prayer. I’m so enjoying this series!
Thank you, Jeanne!
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Spine-Tingling Suspense for Your TBR List
I love how God moves & how He blesses both the giver & receiver of encouragement. Great post for Easter.
Bless you Anita!
Jennifer
Tea With Jennifer recently posted…Aliens Amongst Us…Really?