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Wisdom Story
The following story is by Shirley Martinson, AHA!, 11/22/00.
I was working in a high school in a tiny Minnesota town. I found it very discouraging. Morale on the staff was low and had apparently been that way for some time. I had a poster that showed a baby duck in the pocket of a work shirt and the caption read, "Lord, keep me close to your heart." One week I gave it to a co-worker and said, "You've had a worse week than I. Maybe this will help you. Next week, if you see someone who has a worse week than you, give them the poster. And if they see someone who needs it, let them pass it on.
That duck made a lot of trips, hung in a lot of rooms, and even made its way back to me on occasion. But we weren't alone anymore.
Wisdom Saying
Please open your hearts to us. We have not done wrong to anyone, nor led anyone astray, nor taken advantage of anyone. I’m not saying this to condemn you. I said before that you are in our hearts, and we live or die together with you. I have the highest confidence in you, and I take great pride in you. You have greatly encouraged me and made me happy [joyful] despite all our troubles.
*II Corinthians 7.2-4, NLT
Comments
Paul continues his defense against charges of wrongdoing and exploiting others. These charges were brought against him by some in Corinth, after he left the city.
Paul appeals to the past: the Corinthians past encouragement of him during difficult times. He, based on this past, appeals: "Please open your hearts to us." The implication is their hearts were once open and now had been closed to him.
Encourage derives from en and courage. Courage is from the Latin heart. Encourage, then, can be read "to get into the heart." So, to be encouraged means to be, or become, enheartened [again].
Suggested Reflection
Do you recall a time when someone renewed your courage in a time of disheartenment, or discouragement? What was that like for you?
In times of discouragement, do you let others minister encouragement to you? Explain. If not, how might you better let others encourage you?
Is God calling you to encourage someone at this time who is struggling to remain enheartened? How might you encourage the person?
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