Encouragement
Description:
The gift of Encouragement is the divine enablement to present truth so as to strengthen, comfort, or urge to action those who are discouraged or wavering in their faith.
Distinctives:
People with this gift...
- Come to the side of those who are discouraged to strengthen and reassure them
- Challenge, comfort, or confront others to trust and hope in the promises of God
- Urge others to actions by applying biblical truth
- Motivate others to grow
- Emphasize God's promises and to have confidence in His will
Traits:
- Positive
- Motivating
- Challenging
- Affirming
- Reassuring
- Supportive
- Trustworthy
Cautions: People with this gift...
People with this gift...
- Can sometimes be overly optimistic, too simplistic or flattering
- Should first take time to understand where others are and what they really need
- May want to just say "positive" things to others and avoid being confrontational when it's needed
References:
Definition taken from Network: Participants Manual, p. 78.