Lord, Help Me Use My Words to Lift Others Up Today.

There's a British comedian that often comes up on my Instagram feed named Troy Hawke. His act, if you haven't seen it, is to stand outside of shops or walk down the street in a striking purple velvet smoking jacket, speaking in a very well-spoken British accent, giving strangers the most sincere, elaborate compliments.

"Your presence here has genuinely elevated the day," he'll tell someone at a bus stop. "That color absolutely sings on you," to a person walking past. And I love watching people's faces transform, from suspicion to confusion to sometimes (but not always) absolute delight.

It's comedy, obviously. But there's something deeper happening. People aren't used to being complimented. Encouraged. Built up. And when someone takes the time to lift them up with words, even in a comedic context, it matters.

Words have power. To heal or hurt. To encourage or discourage. And I have to catch myself because my default isn't always encouragement, it's immediately seeing what could be improved. With others, and especially with myself. Quick to spot what's wrong, slow to acknowledge what's right.

But what if we used our words intentionally? What if we looked for opportunities to lift others up, to speak life and encouragement, to build confidence and restore hope?

Ephesians 4:29 says, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

Building others up. That's the standard. Not tearing down, not staying neutral, but actively building. Noticing when someone needs to hear they matter, they're doing well, they're not alone. And then actually following through and saying it.

Lifting others up doesn't cost us anything. But it can mean everything to someone who's discouraged.

You don't need a purple velvet jacket or a posh accent. You just need to notice opportunities and speak up. Tell someone they're doing a good job. Acknowledge effort. Celebrate progress. Remind someone of their value.

My challenge to myself and to you today is to use our words to lift others up. Build confidence. Offer hope. Speak encouragement. Watch how something so small can make a real difference.