Living Joyfully-Encouragement Goes a Long Way! Part I

1 Peter 4:15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.

Really? Interfering in other people's matters is mentioned in the same sentence as murder, theft, and evil-doing? Ouch. By now you're probably asking: "What on earth does this have to do with living joyfully?" Actually, it has a lot to do with joyful living.

• Here in Scripture, the Greek word for "busybody" literally means: "not one's own overseer." We all have enough problems to deal with, we don't need to concern ourselves with other people's issues. (Unless, of course, you are there to pray for them and encourage them.)
• Busybodies tear down and gossip. Encouragers are there to build up and keep each other going in the tough patches of life. Being an encourager not only has an impact on your own well-being (it feels good to encourage others), but you have started a chain of kindness that may benefit the lives of many. You never know what the impact a kind or encouraging word will have on someone.
• Remember in middle school when your mother told you not to worry about the mean kids because they were the ones with the problems, and only made fun of you because they wanted to make themselves feel better? Well, this concept never really dies. People who feel bad about themselves will criticize and judge other people in order to make themselves feel better.
• Encouragement is the antidote to busybodiness. Encouragement is full of love and genuine caring, instead of vain pettiness and smug attitudes. 

Encouraging other people is more important than you might ever realize. You never know how far a kind word will go. Unfortunately, people are more accustomed to hearing negative comments than positive ones. The traits of a busybody are hurtful, the traits of an encourager are uplifting. Positivity and Negativity are both contagious...which one do you want to spread?