Encouragement Goes a Long Way! Part II-Encouraging Your Family.

Last week we talked about why it is so important to encourage other people. Today, we'll discuss the how of encouraging your family.

Next week we'll talk about how to encourage those outside your immediate family, and those going through difficult times.

How to Encourage:
Prayer. This is the most important way to encourage someone. We may not know their struggles, but God does. Here are some specific ways to encourage your family.

Your Husband

• Pray for him.
• Ask about his day, and be genuinely interested in what he has to say.
• Compliment often, criticize rarely. Don't Nag. Please!
• Tell him the things you admire about him. Men want to feel respected and admired.
• Be there for him. He may not want to tell you everything after a bad day, but he may just want you to sit with him.

Your Wife

• Pray for her. 
• Ask about her day, and be genuinely interested in what she has to say.
• If she had a tough day with the kids, tell you what a wonderful mother she is. Specifically name something that you admire about her parenting skills.
• Just listen. Don't solve unless she asks. She may just want to vent, and doesn't want you to come up with a solution.
• Surprise her with a heartfelt note, flowers, dinner out, or something that you think will touch her heart. Women are blessed when their husbands do something that requires thought.

Your Children

• Pray for them.
• Create time for them. The email, phone call, and text message can wait. They're only little once.
• Hug them often. Remind them how special they are.
• Tell them something every single day that you admire about their personality or character.
• Discipline in love, not in anger. Their hearts will be encouraged when they know your love is unconditional, no matter how much they dislike any form of discipline.
• Remind them that God has a plan for their lives. This is especially important as they get older.