One of my favorite responsibilities my husband and I currently have is caring for other global workers in our region. We get to come alongside them in their work to support and encourage them. It is a joy and privilege to hear their stories, the highs and the lows, and to witness the work of God in their lives and ministries. We also get to pray with them and for them in their journeys, faithfully trusting the Lord with all of it. This job is not only an opportunity for us to build into our fellow workers but to be built up in our own faith as we see the Lord move. 

When we meet with other workers, it is important to be able to read the room well. My pastor husband likes the proverb, “If anyone loudly blesses their neighbor early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse,” (Proverbs 27:14). It’s humorous to picture this scenario, especially if you have ever lived with a non-morning person or you yourself are a non-morning person. A blessing is good and all, but if it comes at an inappropriate time, it is useless to the person it is meant to bless. So how are we to know when to speak words of encouragement to someone so that they are useful? 

Over years of getting this so very wrong, I think I’ve learned a few things. One is to listen. As we listen, we should ask questions, and then listen some more. And pray. Pray before, during, and after your encounter, asking the Holy Spirit to help you listen well, with curiosity, so you can ask good and helpful questions. Third, be patient, allowing the person time to process their thoughts and share what’s on their heart. Let the Spirit work, and then finally, as the Spirit leads, speak blessing and words of affirmation and encouragement. Even the best, most sincere words of encouragement fall flat if the person hasn’t felt heard and understood. Let’s be patient and listen well so our words are sweet as honeycomb, soothing to the soul.