Insight on Encouragement

A couple of years ago, I sent a secret sister card to a very sick friend.

I wanted to encourage her, so I sent her an unsigned secret sister card once a month for several months. Another lady sent her a card almost every week—and signed them. Even though my friend did not know her, she consistently sent cards in brightly covered envelopes and always signed them. When my friend and her husband visited our church, I revealed to her that I was her secret sister. She was so happy to discover it was me! I recently asked her how she felt about receiving cards secretly. She was honest in her answer.

She told me she appreciated the cards and was thankful people were praying for her, thinking about her, and sending words of encouragement on a regular basis.

My friend explained to me that even though receiving a card from a secret sister can be fun as you try to guess who the person is, when you are sick, you do not always have the energy to guess. Unsigned cards may be great for people on lockdown or someone recovering from a broken leg or someone receiving a card for no reason, but as someone who was extremely sick, she said she would have preferred the card be signed with a name.

She explained that whether the card was signed or not, all the cards were appreciated, just knowing someone cared and wanted to lift her up.

“When you are experiencing really low days,” she said, “these words of encouragement mean a lot.” I really appreciated the insight. It helped me to see things from a different perspective. In my encouragement ministry, I have learned I should pray for wisdom in each situation. Are we doing all we can to encourage our sisters? Encouragement provides them with the strength to endure whatever they are facing, provides emotional and spiritual support, and strengthens their faith in Christ. In Hebrews 3:13, we read, “encourage one another daily” (NIV).

First Thessalonians 5:11 challenges us to “encourage one another and build each other up” (NIV). We also learn in Proverbs 12:25, “Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down, but a good word cheers it up” (CSB).

Let us encourage one another!

Ruth Cantrell