What if you could encourage someone?

Imagine with me, if you will... that you daily carry a little story clipped from a newspaper - or a little flyer that's encouraging - or a favorite touching story - tucked away in your walet or purse.

Imagine that you are riding on a bus, or standing in a grocery line or waiting in a doctors office... and you see someone.

This someone seems hurt, or lost... or maybe you overhear a part of their conversation and you are now aware their heart is breaking.... and it occurs to you that the precious little story you've been toting around would probably bring them a little comfort.

Imagine you have the courage to hand it to them - even if you only walk away afterwards.

What would your little treasure say?

What one message would you leave in order to touch a stranger's hurting heart? Can you share that whole message here?

Peace.

(((Love back, LottaLou)))

Psalm 121:2
"My help comes from the Lord, which made heaven and earth."

He left the splendor of heaven and knowing His destiny was the lonely hill of Golgatha and an old rugged Cross, Christ layed down His life for you and me. If that isn't loving you, I don't know what is. The Lord wants us to cast our burdens upon Him and He will heal our broken hearts.

At least 10 stories.

Something along the lines of "you are not alone in this."

Know that no matter what, you are loved!

If a stranger came up to me, and gave me a note- even though the words are comforting- I would be a freaked out and suspicious, I would also think they had been eavesdropping.
Nah, going on personal experience, what is likely to help them out is to pay them a compliment. I love it when strangers come up to me and say "I love your hair" etc, it really makes my day. Yes it might mean I am shallow, but sometimes people just like to be told they look nice.

EDIT: Oh dear, it worries me how many people are using bible scriptures.. This person is a stranger, isn't it a bit rude to assume they are also Christian? Especially when you consider the majority of the world isn't (about 4 billion people in fact). They might be offended that you start sprouting religion to them, the last thing someone upset needs is the thought someone is trying to convert them. And no, I am not saying this as an atheist, because I wouldn't try to put my atheistic disbelief on anyone either, especially broken hearted strangers.

NOTHING stays the same forever - however bad it may feel right now, you CAN get through this, things WILL improve.

WONDERFUL post, by the way - have a star!

This has to be one of the loveliest posts I've ever read on YA.


EDIT

- if it was perhaps a health issue that the person had, I would recommend to them a wonderful and inspiring book: 'Love, Medicine & Miracles' by Bernie Segal MD. He's written a few books and they are very helpful in times of need :)

"I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love."
Mother Teresa

"This To, shall Pass."

De,

This was beautiful. I have had strangers confide in me and I encourage them to know that God loves them. What I tell people is if God brings you to it He will bring you through it if I feel led I give them a hug and tell them I am praying for them.
I am asking the Holy Spirit to give me power and boldness to share Jesus Christ with others. Thank you for this beautiful post Peace be with you e4g

I got this in an email from a friend. I know it's just part of a chain letter, but it's still very true and was sent during a very difficult time in both our lives.

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.

I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.

I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.

I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.

I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.

I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

God Bless.

Each person has a different need for a different message.

God uses me often to save babies from abortion, not by condemning the woman, but by being a shoulder that she can lean on and share her fears, telling her of the pain that never goes away as a result of abortion, and trying to find real answers to her fears like baby items and other needs.
The bottom line to abortion is fear and if real answers are presented then the woman always chooses life for the baby in her womb and the love for her baby casts further fears away.

Hello De, so nice to hear from you, where have you been?

De it would naturally depend on the circumstance, but this has always encouraged me.

1Th 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
1Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
1Th 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

"smile"

The first thing I would want them to know is that God loves us ALL very very much, that He wants us to come to Jesus and thru Jesus have salvation, and that there is no sin too big for God to forgive. If ppl truly understand the true love of God, they cant say No to God. They must know the love of God to want to be saved. Once they know the love of God, they can learn the deeper things of God that will just bless their socks off right here on this earth, while they wait on Heaven.
Thats what my treasure would say.. Actually it isnt MY treasure, it is Gods treasure we must give them.
Then pray pray pray without ceasing for them to receive the message that was given by the Lord.
Strangers did come to me in the past, and I loved it all, even tho some said something I didnt always agree with. I just marveled in the fact that someone so full of Gods love would love me enough to want to share it with me.
May you all today realize just how much God loves you and then love Him back the same way.
Halleujah.
Thanks for the great question.. sister shirley

Jesus stopped and called them. "What do you want me to do for you?" he ask. (Matthew 20:32)

How will you answer this question?

I am an encourager. I encourage others to the best of my understanding or Gods direction, in the moment of visiting. And I can pray for others when I am not visiting with them. According to thoughts or Gods direction.

And I like to encourage with a Word of God (scripture) that comes to mind. Or a bible or a promise book or a copy of http://www.fathersloveletter.com .

I love you depoetic, Because I have seen you write down scriptures for someone in need of Gods encouraging Word. I like to see what scriptures come to others minds when encouraging others. And I like to make a copy of these.

Through Christ Jesus all wounds are healed.

My treasure would say that life can hurt sometimes, but that you have a great friend who loves you very very much. Jesus.
I Cr 13;8a
Hi Depoetic!