21 Creative Ways to Encourage Others

This world is in great need of people that encourage one another. Encouragement can be a small gesture with a huge impact. Are you looking for creative ways to encourage others? Below, you’ll find 21 Ways to Encourage Others and show those around you that you appreciate them!

We may be natural at encouraging others or we may struggle to find ways to give others a boost. Either way, encouraging others is part of our calling as followers of Jesus. In 1 Thessalonians 5:11 ~ Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Ways to Encourage Others

The following creative ways to encourage others do not have to be a ginormous task. It can even be as small as a smile. These 21 ideas are practical ways to encourage someone who is down or just needs a pick-me-up!

What I love about encouragement is that God can use our efforts to spur others on monumentally and THAT is thrilling to be a part of. When you look around, you can see the deep need of encouragement our world is depleted of. Be the light to those around you!

What is Encouragement

According to Merriam-Webster, encouragement is the act of giving hope or confidence. To inspire with courage, spirit, or hope. From a biblical standpoint, we know our hope and confidence can only come from God alone.

When we have this hope and confidence in the Lord, give it away! We’ll never run dry and this world needs as much encouragement as we can share.

So without further ado, the encouragement ideas below are 21 Practical & Frugal Ways to Encourage Others.

Ways to Encourage Others:

1. Pick up the phone.

Make the call to your friend, or family member, or whomever has been on your heart and let them know. Don’t let another day go by without letting them know you care and are there for them.

2. Acts of Service.

Put your encouragement into action. It can be as simple as returning someone’s cart to the store for them. Run an errand for a sick friend. Take the garbage can to the curb to help out a neighbor.

I had a friend who hated dealing with rolling the trashcans to the curb. Whenever her husband was out of town, I’d sneak over and take care of it. Something that was small to me was a big influence on her.

3. Smile.

Something as simple as smiling is a great way to encourage others. We have so much to celebrate, share it through your smile. It’s contagious and is more powerful that we realize.

RELATED: 12 Love In Action Ideas

4. Mail a card.

I think stamps are $0.55 these days. Less than a dollar to completely turn someone’s day around. Hand-written notes are timeless and always precious to receive.

5. Pray with them.

Take the time to pray right then and there with them. If unable to at that time, affirm that you will be praying for them through this struggle. Text them later or another day when you do or send them a bible verse that you are praying for their situation. It will mean the world to them! Our prayers are powerhouse ways to encourage others.

Ways To Encourage Others: Quality Time Impact

How to encourage and appreciate others? Time. Give them your time and watch their world brighten!

6. Give Quality Time.

Time is a precious commodity these days. Therefore, we really have to be intentional with how we use it so we don’t fly through our days without noticing those around us.

With someone needing encouragement, your presence can be exactly what they need to encourage their spirit. It could be a solid 5 minutes of undivided attention, or it could be an afternoon.

Whatever the quantity, quality time can be so impactful for encouraging others. I’ve often joked that 10 minutes of quality time can boost me for a week! It makes such a difference.

Bring encouragement to others by giving them quality time.

7. Text a note.

A text can be short and sweet and still pack a punch. Let them know you’re thinking about them. Text a verse of encouragement. OR use your social media platform as a way to encourage others!

8. Pick up their favorite coffee.

If they’re not a coffee drinker, pick up their favorite tea, soda, or a candy bar. “Thinking of you” gifts are so thoughtful to receive and can be such a pick-me-up on a long, hard day. I mentioned to a friend about loving apple cider donuts in the fall but wasn’t able to find them on a recent mountain trip. A few days later she surprised me with a half-dozen apple cider donuts from Aldi’s and they were amazing! Her kindness and thoughtfulness made those donuts some of the very best donuts I’ve ever had in my life!

9. Follow Up.

It will mean the world to someone if you follow up to see how their day/struggle/concern played out. If you notice they’re “off”, follow up with care and encouragement.

10. Invite them to dinner.

It doesn’t have to be fancy. The point is to extend the invitation and hopefully have a meal together and fellowship. For a moment in their day, they’ll be the guest of honor.

11. Speak life-affirming words.

How to encourage someone with words? Speak life-affirming words of truth to them! Encourage them with the hope you hold on to.

Remind them that they are not struggling alone and God is able to do immeasurably more than we could ever imagine. Ephesians 3:20

Below are some bible verses of words of encouragement.

Words to Encourage Others With Truth

• I live by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 12:7
• Because I place my hope in God, I can soar like and eagle, run and not grow weary, walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31
• God is my refuge and strength…always ready to help me in times of trouble. Psalm 46:1
• God gives me strength when I am weary and increases my power when I am weak. Isaiah 40:29
• When I call out to God, He answers me. Jeremiah 33:3
• My God meets all my needs. Philippians 4:19

Beyond scripture, what do you say to encourage someone? Sometimes the most impactful words of encouragement you can share with someone is that you’re there for them. Tell them you love them. Remind them that you care and they’re not going through this alone.

I struggled on the right words to express to a friend that was grieving the loss of a family member. What scripture should I use? What are the right words to try to bring encouragement to her life?

I told her I had no idea what to say but I loved her and I was carrying her pain in my heart. She told me out of all the sympathy cards and well-wishes she received, it meant the most to be told she was loved. She said, “Frankly, there were no right words. My broken heart needed love.” I’ll never forget that lesson.

Related: 31 Biblical Affirmations

12. Offer specific, practical help.

“Let me know how I can help” is kind, but the recipient may be in a place of loss to answer. Try instead, “Would it help if I…” or “I would like to…” Or even more specific, “I’m bringing dinner over. What time is best?”

RELATED: 10 Ways To Be A Generous Giver

13. Bake a Treat.

It’s been said that the way to someone’s heart is through their belly… I believe that carries some weight to it! The best part of baking a treat is sharing it.

Pass it on to someone that needs a boost with a note of encouragement. Better yet, invite them over to share a treat with you.

14. Be a cheerleader.

No, not the pom-poms and short skirt kind.. Be a cheerleader for your friend pursuing a new endeavor, or the new mom, or the friend that needs an ally. Let them know you’re rooting for them. Celebrate their successes with them.

15. Realize the power of presence.

Just being there can be encouraging. When you’re with others and give your undivided attention, you’re telling them they’re important. Sometimes, you do not even need to say a word.

Creative Ways to Encourage Others

16. Send Seeds.

Flowers are wonderful to receive but can be so expensive. Send seeds instead – especially to the gardener or person in your life with a green thumb!

New life comes from the seeds and seeing a beautiful flower sprout is the essence of what God offers us: LIFE. Share seeds with those that need encouragement – they fit perfectly in a card and envelope to be mailed.

17. Curb-side Cheer Up.

This is when you pull up in their driveway or meet your friend in the parking lot of their place of employment, or in the grocery store parking lot for a 2-minute cheer-up session. A lot of motivation and encouragement can take place in 120 seconds. It will make both of your days better.

18. Double up dinner.

Make a little extra and invite your friend or neighbor to pick it up on her way home. Or, deliver it! It’s not just about the food but the thoughtfulness and hope of encouragement behind it.

Recently, our older neighbor has been home alone during the evenings as his wife traveled for work. The Lord has been incredible in providing enough food to take him a plate on a last-minute night when we realize he’s home alone after we’ve had our dinner. It’s happened a handful of times that we’ll bring him a plate and I kid you not, every single time is not planned AND there is more food leftover for my husband to have plenty for his lunch. That is how the Lord works! I know it blesses our neighbor but we are so richly blessed as well through it and seeing how God uses it.

19. Point out evidence of grace.

Share what you see going on and how God is showing up. This helps highlight God’s provision and assures them that what they are facing is covered by Him.

20. Invite them to serve with you.

It’s easier to serve others when you have someone by your side. Serving may not be the first thought when someone needs a pick-me-up BUT if they accept the invitation, it will shift their focus and surely fill their heart up. You may need to drag ’em but it’ll be worth it!

21. Keep it heartfelt.

Giving encouragement doesn’t have to be difficult, time-consuming, or a huge event. Just be sincere and watch God work. Look for ways all around you. We’re surrounded by opportunities.

Ways to Encourage Others

I hope this list of 21 Ways to Encourage Others gave you some fun and creative ideas to encourage those in your life. Be a light to those around you and shine like Jesus! The world needs encouragement!

Use this Encouragement Checklist to remember these ideas and note who you could encourage today!

Call to Action:

This is a call to action to turn intention into activity. Watch the ripple effect take place and join God encouraging others today!

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