Inflated or Deflated

So encourage each other and build each other up just as you are already doing.1 Thess 5:11 (NLT)

One of our important jobs is to build each other up.  Have you ever had the experience of being around a person for a while and you begin to feel deflated like someone is letting air out of your balloon.  Then you can be around others who make you feel loved and encouraged like someone is pumping you up.

I find that those who are the life givers exhibit the fruits of the Holy Spirit:  love, kindness, patience, faithfulness, gentleness.  When we are around this kind of person we can relax and receive the grace they exhibit

We are designed to be encouragers, but often, because we ourselves are so deflated we tend to suck the life out of others around us.  We need to take the time and effort to take care of ourselves, to connect with God and other encouragers, so that we, too, will be life-givers.

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: 

love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,

 goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Gal 5:22-23 (NLT)