This article is courtesy of Mature Living Magazine.

One of the most prominent directives in Paul's letter to the Thessalonians is that we are to "encourage one another." More specifically, he wrote:

"Therefore encourage one another with these words" (1 Thess. 4:18).

Here Paul was referring to the very words of Scripture. Some of these believers were deeply concerned about their believing loved ones who had died. They were confused regarding what happens to those believers who died before Christ's return. Paul set the record straight, telling them that "whether we live or die" (Rom. 14:8) before His return, we have eternal life if we have put our faith in His death and resurrection.

These are indeed encouraging words - from God Himself - words we can use to encourage one another. This is true of all the promises in Scripture. However, God's gift of language enables us to use words in a variety of creative ways to encourage one another and invest in each others' lives - no matter what our circumstances. We see this beautifully demonstrated and illustrated in the Book of Proverbs.

The power of good words

"Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down, but a good word cheers it up" (Proverbs 12:25).

By sharing good or kind words, we can help a friend move from sadness and even depression to happiness and joy. In fact, it is God's will that we look for opportunities to use encouraging words - words of thanks and words of appreciation.

To be perfectly honest, there are some days I've been very discouraged just with the pressures of life. I'm sure you can identify. When this happens, I remember praying specifically for encouragement.As a result of those prayers, Ihave received a letter, an email, or a phone call that made my day. Sometimes it was just a simple word of encouragement and appreciation that turned a cloud-covered day into one beaming with rays of sunshine. That's the power of words.

Who can you encourage today with good words?

The power of pleasant words

"Pleasant words are a honeycomb: sweet to the taste and health to the body" (Proverbs 16:24).

Pleasant words can actually help people feel better physically. In fact, this verse demonstrates the power of the mind over the body. Centuries before medical science discovered this relationship between the body and the soul, Godput this great truth in writing. The Greek word for "soul" is psuche and "body" is soma. When these two words are put together, we have the English word psychosomatic - a word used to show the relationship between the mind and the body. Pleasant words can help a person feel good all over.

We see this demonstrated in Proverbs 17:22, "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones."

Pleasant words create a joyful heart, but discouraging words create a broken spirit, which in turn affect our physical bodies in a hurtful way. This is the power of words, both positive and negative.

Who can you encourage today with pleasant words?

The power of appropriate words

"A word spoken at the righttime is like gold apples on asilver tray" (Prov. 25:11).

Let's reflect for a moment onthis beautiful metaphor. The gold apples represent good and pleasant words spoken at just the right time - particularly during a period of discouragement. The silver tray represents a person's heart and soul - particularly our mental and emotional responses and memories. When this happens, a word spoken at the right time becomes a wonderful, encouraging experience that we will never forget.

Unfortunately, some people never forget discouraging words that impacted their lives for years. But we have the opportunity to reduce the power of these negative memories by sharing good and pleasant words that are spoken at the right time. God, through His Holy Spirit, desires to guide us into these life transforming moments.

Yes, there's power in the way we use words. We can be encouragers every day. Look for these opportunities. Don't let them pass by. We need to ask the Lord to help us discover those moments that will be the most helpful.