Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,
but only what is helpful for building others up.
—Ephesians 4:29
Life is a marathon, not a sprint—a long, demanding race.
Someone needs your encouragement and support to negotiate it; to endure, achieve, finish.
Encouragement has tremendous power. Here is a trio of verses that call us to the mutual ministry of encouraging each other …
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Gal. 6:2).
… encourage one another and build each other up (1 Thess. 5:11).
… encourage the timid (fainthearted RSV), help the weak, be patient with everyone … be kind to each other (1 Thess. 5:14).
Speak words that build up, not beat up.