But God, Who comforts and encourages and refreshes and cheers the depressed and the sinking, comforted and encouraged and refreshed and cheered us by the arrival of Titus. – 2 Corinthians 7:6, AMP

When we are down and depressed, God often comforts us one-on-one while we are engaged in scripture reading or prayer. But, just as often, God sends His comfort through encouraging people He points our way. I am sure we can all recall instances when God sent to us just the right person at just the right time with just the right words to lift our fallen spirits. Such people are truly a light in a dark place, and, thankfully, God will send us more lights when we walk in dark places in the future.

We need to be careful, however, not to be on the receiving end only of God’s encouraging efforts. We need to be yielded to God’s direction when He gives us the opportunity to encourage someone else. We may be able to visit a widow or widower with a meal and a conversation and take the loneliness away for awhile.  We may have chances to invite friends to an outing to get their minds off of their troubles for a time. Every now and then, we’ll have chances to be the proverbial “shoulder to cry on” for people who need to confront their troubles, once and for all. Or, we will have plenty of opportunities to offer up a simple “Thank you” or “I appreciate you” to help people understand that they are needed and that they are valued.

Our challenge is to be ready, willing, and able to accept God’s divine appointments to encourage others when they come our way. The next time God sets such an appointment for you, you’ll recognize it. When you do, set aside your own plans, be the light you need to be, and help someone out of the dark place that he or she has fallen into.

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