A group of frogs were traveling through the woods, and two of them fell into a deep pit. All the other frogs gathered around the pit. When they saw how deep the pit was, they told the unfortunate frogs they would never get out. The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit. The other frogs kept telling them to stop, that they were as good as dead.
Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and simply gave up. He fell down and died. The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and suffering and just die. He jumped even harder and finally made it out.
When he got out, the other frogs asked him, “Why did you continue jumping? Didn’t you hear us?” The frog explained to them that he was deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time!
This story teaches us two very powerful lessons:
1) There is power of life and death in the tongue (Proverbs 18:21) – An encouraging word to someone who is down can lift them up and help them make it through the day.
2) A destructive word to someone who is down can be what it takes to kill them (Proverbs 12:6) – Let’s be careful of what we say! Speak life to those who cross our path! The power of words … it is sometimes hard to understand that an encouraging word can go such a long way. Anyone can speak words that tend to rob another of the spirit to continue in difficult times.
Special is the individual who will take the time to encourage another. We desperately need this kind of individual in the church of our Lord today. We need more Christians like Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement” – Acts 4:36) to help build up and encourage others in the work of the Lord’s church.
Brethren, may we always be an encouragement to others! May our lips speak words of encouragement instead of disparaging words. My prayer is that you will send this story to someone you would like to encourage today!
Mike Riley
via Chapman church of Christ
Ripley, MS