Picture Of Encouragement

I am sending him to you . . . that he may know . . . and comfort your hearts.

Colossians 4:8

Edward Steichen, who eventually became one of the world’s most renowned photographers, almost gave up on the day he shot his first pictures. At sixteen, young Steichen bought a camera and took fifty photos. Only one turned out. Edward’s father thought that was a poor showing. But his mother insisted that the one photograph was so beautiful that it more than compensated for forty-nine failures. Her encouragement convinced him not to quit. Steichen stayed with photography for all his life, but it had been a close call.

What tipped the scales? His mother’s vision. She saw excellence in the midst of failure. That’s what God does for us. He is our most persistent encourager, and He often uses others to encourage us.

A word of encouragement can be used of God to help a fellow believer reach spiritual success. Jesus prepared His discouraged followers with the promise that He would send them another Comforter.

Perhaps today God will direct you in being an encourager. First Thessalonians 5:11 tells us, “Comfort each other.” There is no greater joy than to know the Comforter can work through you to comfort others.