Girl Got Faith
  • About
  • Magazine
    • Bible
    • Relationships
    • Beauty
    • Lifestyle
  • Watch
  • SHOP
  • Resources
  • Support
  • Events
Popular
Why Do I Need A King?
How To Best Approach Exam Season
For When Friendships Feel Hard
‘Such A Time As This’: What The Story...
Earth Day: What Loving Our Planet Has To...
Good Friday’s Not-So-Little Details
Five Things To Remember When Going Through A...
Tips For Talking To Your Friends About Your...
When The World Feels Overwhelming…
International Women’s Day: Celebrating The Women Who Have...

Girl Got Faith

The teen girl's guide to a faith-filled life.

  • About
  • Magazine
    • Bible
    • Relationships
    • Beauty
    • Lifestyle
  • Watch
  • SHOP
  • Resources
  • Support
  • Events
0
Bible

Gifts Of The Spirit: Exhortation

written by Sarah December 20, 2016
Gifts Of The Spirit: Exhortation

You may be thinking, what on earth is the gift of exhortation? I thought that too when I first heard it, but it simply means encouragement.

The dictionary definition of encouragement is: To give support, confidence or hope to (someone).

To encourage someone means to literally give someone courage. It is such an affirming, uplifting and exciting thing to do and yet one we probably don’t even think of much or even see as a spiritual gift, am I right?

I have grown to understand and realise the impact and power of encouragement in helping people become all they are called to be.

“We have different gifts,Β according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying,Β then prophesy in accordance with yourΒ faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;Β if it is to encourage, then give encouragement;Β if it is giving, then give generously;Β if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” – Romans 12:6-8

Someone with the gift of encouragement can often identify areas where someone is not growing spiritually and speak into their lives and also encourage those who are growing. It is often closely linked to the gift of the prophetic (more about that in another post coming soon!).

When you encourage someone, you give an opportunity for the Holy Spirit to help move people from pessimism to optimism or bring comfort and spur them on.ggf-insta-exhortation

I have unknowingly and more recently overtly, been seeking to create an atmosphere of encouragement wherever I am. This means at work, church, in my family and in my friendship groups.

This can be by doing simple things like smiling at someone as you pass them in the corridor, leaving a note on someones desk, buying someone a gift or thanking people for the little things they do, that often go unnoticed.

Using the gift of encouragement can be really fun, especially if you go out with a courage buddy to actively seek out people to encourage on the streets, in shops or just waiting at the station. People love to be encouraged and are usually incredibly open to words of encouragement that can often lead to opportunities to talk about God. But, even if they don’t that doesn’t matter because it’s about making someone feel appreciated and seen in their everyday.

At the heart of encouragement you are seeing people through God’s eyes and β€˜calling out the gold’ in them. We all have gold buried deep within us, the qualities and identity God has placed within us, that gets buried deep beneath the dirt and mess of everyday life. We all need people to call out the gold within us and speak truth over us. When we do this people flourish and you can literally see people re-inflate as they realise their worth.

Remember your words are powerful and can bring ‘life’ or ‘death’. Create a culture in your life that is full of encouragement and life giving to those around you.

“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” –Β Proverbs 18:21Β 

If you are still wondering today what your giftings are, this online questionnaire for youths is particularly helpful. This can be used to point you towards giftings that you have or gifts that are emerging in you. Talk to friends and see what they think your giftings are, speak to someone at church and see what they think and don’t forget to ask God too. Then stir up the gifts that God has given you and get around people with similar gifts to you so you can encourage each other to use them and grow together.

“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” –Β 2 Timothy 1:6Β 

Get creative with encouragement, just as we have all been created uniquely, God will use this gift creatively and uniquely in you-how exciting!!

How will you encourage the people around you this week?

6 comments
0
Facebook Twitter Google + Pinterest
Sarah

I love God, family, friends, and life in general πŸ’• I'm passionate about women walking in their true identity as 'Daughters of the King' πŸ‘‘ I write my own blog too: kingdomcallingblog on Wordpress, Facebook: Kingdomcallingblog Instagram: @KingdomCallingBlog Instagram: Kingdomcallingblog Pinterest: Sarah Brown

previous post
5 Fun Things To Do When It’s Freezing Outside
next post
#HappyBirthdayGGF

You may also like

Walking With God: You Are Incomparable!

October 16, 2016

Armour Up: Shield of Faith

October 16, 2020

6 Steps For A Solid Devotional Routine

January 19, 2018

Walking With God: Unwrapping Your Gifts

November 6, 2016

Why Do I Need A King?

May 20, 2022

Why Is Fellowship Important?

December 30, 2017

Girls Of Grace: Ruth

February 3, 2017

#SpoiltChildOfChrist

February 17, 2016

What’s The Point In Praying If God Already...

September 24, 2016

The Benefits of Serving

March 27, 2018

6 comments

Bex Naidoo December 29, 2016 - 9:02 pm

Great Article! Gonna be reading your blog! Be encouraged x

Reply
Sarah December 29, 2016 - 9:18 pm

Thank you so much Bex. I hope you found it helpful. πŸ˜ƒ

Reply
Sarah December 20, 2016 - 6:05 pm

Thanks so much. I hope you are encouraged πŸ˜ƒ

Reply
Anonymous December 20, 2016 - 11:49 am

Absolutely Amazing! Thanks So Much!

Reply
Sarah December 20, 2016 - 6:05 pm

Thanks I’m glad you found it helpful πŸ˜ƒ

Reply
Anonymous December 20, 2016 - 8:57 am

very nice. Love it!!!!

Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

girlgotfaith

Rest in knowing that you can trust God to show you Rest in knowing that you can trust God to show you the way you should go... πŸ‘£
'My grace is enough; it's all you need. My strengt 'My grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.' - 2 Corinthians 12:9
The Discovering You Course is a six week programme The Discovering You Course is a six week programme that we created as an accompaniment to our book πŸ“– 

It includes six guided sessions with activities, short talks, discussion questions, prayer points and print-outs, making it easier than ever for you as a leader to facilitate sessions that will see your group be empowered as they make new discoveries about their faith, find confidence in their beliefs, and grow in self-esteem! πŸ’• Download now via the link in our bio πŸ“Ž
Have faith for what you're believing God for. Trus Have faith for what you're believing God for. Trust Him even when you don't understand because He's always in control and He knows. πŸ’–
Swipe for 4 tips on how to best approach exam seas Swipe for 4 tips on how to best approach exam season!! Whatever you’re studying for, these tips are for you…

We at Girl Got Faith are praying for you during this time, stay encouraged! πŸ’›

(Catch the full article on our website written by @chloe_ados ✨)
In case you ever doubt how much you're worth, reme In case you ever doubt how much you're worth, remember this - Jesus ❀️'s you enough to die for you, even when you were at your very worst. Before you were even born, God knew your greatest failure, your biggest moment of shame and thought 'THAT GIRL RIGHT THERE IS WORTH IT!'
Be youuuu βœ¨πŸ’«πŸŒŸ Be youuuu βœ¨πŸ’«πŸŒŸ
❀️❀️❀️ ❀️❀️❀️
It's #WorldMentalHealthWeek. Sending so much love It's #WorldMentalHealthWeek. Sending so much love out there ❀️. Remember that when we know Jesus, we have His authority! As soon as those negative thoughts try & come back, take them captive and make it obedient to Christ! πŸ’ͺ
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Subscribe

* indicates required

Recent Posts

  • Why Do I Need A King?

    May 20, 2022
  • How To Best Approach Exam Season

    May 13, 2022
  • For When Friendships Feel Hard

    May 6, 2022
  • ‘Such A Time As This’: What The Story of Esther Teaches Us About Purpose

    April 29, 2022
  • Earth Day: What Loving Our Planet Has To Do With Loving God

    April 22, 2022
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • About us
  • Opportunities
  • Advertising

@2022 Girl Got Faith. All Rights Reserved.