How to Encourage Even When It Feels Awkward

If you’ve ever hesitated to send a text, make a call, or walk across the room to say something kind, you're not alone.

Most of us want to be encouraging. We just don’t always know how. It feels awkward. We don’t want to say the wrong thing or make it weird. So we stay quiet. We assume someone else will say what needs to be said. But what if they don’t?

What if God meant you to be the voice they needed that day?

Encouragement Isn’t Extra - It’s Essential

Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica:

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV)

Encouragement isn’t a nice bonus to add onto your faith if you feel like it. It’s a command. A ministry. A part of what it means to be the body of Christ. When someone’s faith is flickering, encouragement fans the flame. When someone is burdened, encouragement lifts the weight. When someone feels forgotten, encouragement reminds them they’re not alone.

And yet, encouragement is often neglected, because we’ve made it too complicated.

Too often, we overcomplicate encouragement. We think it has to be long, deep, or perfectly worded, but real encouragement isn’t about polish, it’s about presence. You don’t have to be eloquent or have all the right words. You just have to show up, speak up, and remind someone they matter. A simple “I see you,” “I’m praying for you,” or “You’re not alone” can be life-giving.

It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be intentional.

Why We Need Encouragement

Life is heavy. Even for faithful Christians, the burden of temptation, grief, stress, doubt, and spiritual fatigue can feel overwhelming. God didn’t design us to carry it all alone. That’s why He gave us each other.

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 (ESV)

Encouragement is one of the most practical ways we help bear one another’s burdens. When someone feels weighed down, encouragement comes alongside and lifts. It says, “You’re not alone. I see you. I’m with you. And more importantly, God is, too.”

As a church family, this is our calling: to “rejoice with those who rejoice, [and] weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). We’re not just fellow churchgoers - we’re fellow burden-bearers. A unified church is an encouraging church. When we build each other up, we reflect the love of Christ and create a place where people can heal, grow, and endure.

In a world full of criticism and division, the church should be a haven of grace and encouragement.

You Don’t Have to Be Perfect to Be Encouraging

Encouragement doesn’t require the perfect words, a special title, or a long conversation.

Sometimes it looks like:

• Sending a quick text: “Thinking of you today. How can I pray for you?”

• Giving a quiet compliment: “You handled that situation with so much grace.”

• Offering presence: Sitting next to someone who’s hurting.

• Following up: “I remember you said that appointment was today. How did it go?”

• Reminding them of truth: “God is doing something meaningful in your life, even in the struggle. Don’t give up.”

It doesn’t take much. But it makes a massive difference. A few words at the right time can be fuel for someone’s fire (Proverbs 25:11).

Encouragement Feels Small, But It’s Sacred

Encouragement might feel small, but its impact echoes far beyond what we see. The world won’t celebrate it. Encouragement rarely makes headlines. But in the kingdom of God, it's powerful.

Encouragement has kept people from quitting. It’s softened hearts that were hardened. It’s helped carry burdens too heavy to bear alone. It reminds others of what’s true when they forget. And it binds us together in love (Colossians 2:2).

You don’t need to be a preacher or a leader to encourage. You just need to be willing to show up and speak up, even when it feels awkward.

And the more you do it, the easier it becomes.

So Let Me Ask You…

• Who around you might be discouraged and silently struggling?

• Have you told someone lately what you admire about their walk with Christ?

• Is there a person you’ve been meaning to check in on but keep putting off?

• Do you avoid encouraging others because you’re afraid it’ll come out wrong?

• What would happen if you made encouragement a weekly ministry habit?

• Could your words today be the reminder someone else needs to keep going?

The Church Needs Your Voice

Encouragement isn’t about making people feel good. It’s about helping people hold on to what’s good. And when you make it your mission to lift others up, you’re doing kingdom work. Eternal work. The kind of work that builds faith, strengthens bonds, and glorifies Christ.

So go ahead. Be awkward if you have to. But speak. Show up. Send the text. Pray the prayer. Write the note. Give the compliment. Don’t underestimate what God can do through one faithful word.

The church needs more encouragers. The church needs you.

Until the journey is complete,

Jonathan Pilgrim

P.S. This week, pick one person to encourage intentionally. It could be a family member, coworker, church member, or friend. Don’t wait for the perfect moment, just reach out and speak. It matters more than you know.