One growth formula goes like this. Each day I share water with a different person who agrees to do the same. The first day it’s just me. But the next day there are 2, then 4, then 8, and so on.

This concept has been used in sales campaigns, membership drives, and political agendas. But they must create new claims or promises to remain “relevant”. But not all. There is one special effort…

Linda’s Story

Linda and her husband raised a family with a strong faith. One summer her children went to a Christian camp in Texas. All was going well until word came of a coming storm and flash floods. The camp director closed the camp and sent everyone home.

As they crossed a river, the water suddenly rose over the bridge and swept the bus into the rushing current. Many children were rescued, including Linda’s son. But her younger daughters drowned. On hearing the news, Linda’s father had a heart attack and died.

In the following days, weeks, and months, Linda fell into deep despair. No one knew how to encourage her and their attempts only made it worse. Then before the year was out, her husband was diagnosed with a rare cancer, and soon he, too, was gone.

Hear me, Father, for I am overwhelmed in sorrow. (see Psalm 55:1-2)

In her darkest hour, thoughts turned to suicide, but God reminded Linda of her son. Who would be there for him? With that one question, He began to fill her heart with the desire to help those in grief and teach others how to encourage them.

She shared her story with small community and church groups, then with entire ministries and congregations. She spoke to radio audiences and Christian conferences around the world.

Linda helped thousands upon thousands, but was never interested in the numbers. She saw individuals who were grieving, hurting, and lonely. She knew the despair and pain they carried in their hearts. She encouraged them…and they encouraged others.

Every day encourage someone, especially now. (see Hebrews 10:25)

That’s the special effort…encouraging others! It has no need to reinvent itself. The love of God that fuels it is constant, eternal, and always relevant. And it is powerful! What if each day you encouraged a different person who would then do the same? Encouragers after:

1 day – 2 … 1 week – 128 … 2 weeks – 16,384 … 3 weeks – 2,097,152

It’s all about focusing on individuals, one person at a time. Just imagine if we all would…

Encourage1Forward ,

 

Chuck

 

Chuck Graham is Founder and Executive Director of Ciloa , an international ministry devoted to sharing God’s encouragement and teaching others how to “encourage one another as long as it is called Today!” He is also an author, speaker, teacher, and encourager. Chuck and his wife, Beverly, live in Lawrenceville, Georgia, USA. You can learn more about Chuck and Ciloa at www.Ciloa.org .