7 Ways to Encourage Online

We live in amazing times, and I’m thankful that there are ways to use all of this electronic goodness for good!

Today, I’m sharing seven ways to encourage your friends online.

Words, whether delivered face to face, via text, through messaging, are powerful. Use them wisely. You’ll be accountable for them someday. EVERY. ONE. OF. THEM.

1. Send Scripture that promises comfort or courage. We’ve all gone through hard times and sometimes we need the perspective of scripture when our thinking gets murky. Scripture is a lifeline and it speaks truth into your friend’s life without our own flawed opinions getting in the way.

2. Tell them you are praying for them! Seriously, this makes my day. The Lord can help me, and knowing that my friends are praying that way for me makes me more determined to keep on keeping on.

3. Be thoughtful about what you say publicly. Some women love being “in the know.” If that’s you, be discreet and considerate. There’s nothing worse than sharing something in confidence only to have your friend blab it to the whole world.

4. Encourage them through their trials. Hey, we all go through them, and we all stumble and fall. Don’t be the “trial police.” Don’t criticize choices your friends make during hard times unless you’ve been given permission to by being asked your opinion. If you are really concerned it may warrant actual action. Instead of a vague online comment of disapproval, why not visit to help them out physically, or run their kids around so they can get some extra sleep or time alone.

5. Encourage the friendless. Let’s face it, Facebook is weird, and can be very seventh-gradish. Be the nice person. Like or comment on things for the sake of another person.

6. Promote solidarity, and don’t stand for online bullies…and by bullies… I mean the mommy-wars. Don’t go there. Just don’t. Someone posted that she was criticized all the time because she had a c-section. Who would criticize that? That’s so small minded. I don’t get this. I hated nursing my kids…but I loved them to pieces. Breastfeeding is a good gift, but it shouldn’t be used to club other women over the head. Ditto for homeschooling, natural birth, organic eating, etc…Can’t we just assume that we all want what’s best for our kids and move on?

7. Praise others instead of yourself. Selfishness is natural, and other-centeredness is supernatural. Listen to others instead of inserting your own story. Promote someone else instead of tooting your own horn. The Lord would have us outdo one another in honor. To live a life that promotes self at the expense of others (whether online or at home) is to live a small, sad existence.

I know this list is incomplete! What are some ways you’ve found to encourage one another online?