Encouraging others doesn’t come easily for me; it’s not my spiritual gift. I’m conscious of sounding forced or phony. But as I prayed about ways to encourage my husband during this rough time, God reminded me that encouragement is from one heart to another heart. It gives courage, helping someone to hang in there. Encouragement can be beautiful words or actions that uplift, support, and affirm someone.

So I wrote a letter to Will listing all the ways I love him. I made sure to thank him for a job well done on the home-improvement projects he’s undertaken. I pointed out all his wonderful God-given gifts that any employer would be grateful to have in an employee. I reminded him of God’s good plans for his life. I told him our daughters are getting to spend time with him they’ve never had before. I even made banana pudding and brownies with walnuts (his favorites).

A wise godly friend told me that a married man wants the admiration and respect of his wife above almost anything else. I realized my words and actions have great power over whether Will feels capable and respected or discouraged and beaten down. So I used truthful words and Scripture to reassure him that he is not alone and that he is deeply loved—by me and God!

In Scripture, God calls us to be encouragers. Why? Because we all need to be encouraged. Whether it’s a sickness or a layoff, whether we know the person, whether we’re gifted in that way, words and acts of encouragement are like water to a thirsty soul.