The word “encourage” comes from a combination of the prefix "en" which means "to put into" and the Latin word "cor" which means heart. Knowing what a big difference encouragement makes in your own life, what can you do to help others "to take heart" as an act of Christian love?

1. Learn individuals' "love language" - the special way in which they feel most valued. In his book, The Five Languages of Love, Gary Chapman explains that not everyone's emotional needs are met in the same way and that it's important to learn to speak others' love language. The five love languages are: words of affirmation, spending quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service and physical touch.

2.When someone is discouraged or hurting, offer specific, practical help. If you ask, "How can I help?" the person might be at a loss to answer. It's better to ask, "Would it help if I…(specific action) or say, "I would like to…(specific action)?

3.Remind fellow Christians of the specific promises of God and characteristics of God. We may know something with our mind, but need to be reminded in our heart. The Apostle Peter wrote,
"I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have" (2 Peter 1:12).

4.Write someone a note to tell them that you're praying for them. Tell them what you're praying. You can pray specific Scriptures for individuals such as Romans 15:13,
"[I pray that] the God of hope [will] fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

5.Make celebration a more regular part of your relationships. Celebrate others' victories, large and small, with a note, with coffee together, with a special meal, a congratulatory phone call or just a high five!

6.Encourage other believers with a reminder of Christ's coming. It redirects our thinking to an eternal perspective and ultimate deliverance from the sin and death.
"We who are still alive and are left will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words" (1 Thessalonians 4:17b-18).

7.If you're part of a church, Bible study or fellowship, be committed to showing up. Your simple presence encourages others that they are part of a community of faith and that they are not alone. That's why the writer of Hebrews says,
"Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another and all the more as we see the Day approaching" (Hebrews 10:25).

8.Use encouragement as an outreach. If anyone should be known for being an encourager, it should be the Christian. Write a letter of appreciation to people at work, your apartment manager, your child's teacher or your doctor. Often when we interact with these people, we are asking for their services. Take time just to say thank you!

9.When you see someone making positive changes in their lives, affirm them. "You seem to have a really great attitude about…." "It may be that I'm just starting to take notice, but I see that you're…." "Do you think that you are becoming more…?"

10.Walk daily in the power of the Holy Spirit, asking Him to give you what you need to encourage others. Just as it is impossible to live the Christian life in one's own strength, it's also impossible to freely, unselfishly pour out encouragement without the help of the Holy Spirit who is our Encourager.

(Adapted from Thoughts about God: 19 Ways to Encourage Others by Stacy Wiebe)