70 scripts to encourage others

Photo by Hamed Saber

Wouldn’t it be great if everyone spread encouragement like it was Tiger Woods gossip?

I’d sure appreciate you for doing it.

To help out, I’ve collected 70 scripts you can encourage others with. You can literally copy and paste them into your life.

Some of these work better in short, handwritten notes. Some work better on Twitter or facebook or email. Some you have to say in person. Use your own judgment on where to use them.

Some of these also require some action outside of simply the words here. You’ll know based on the scripts. Encouragement without any action behind it or any certainty behind it is pointless. So don’t think you’re getting off with shallow verbiage. :)

Of course, these are only meant as a starting point. Once you get into it, make them your own. Start creating. Become an encouragement artist.

70 Encouraging scripts

1. “Thank you.”

2. “I appreciate you.” (not, “I appeciate that/it.”)

3. “I respect you.”

4. “I don’t agree with you, but I admire your motivation to [INSERT ACTION YOU DON’T AGREE WITH]. Thank you.”

5. “Thank you for smiling so much.”

6. “God has blessed me through you.”

7. “Hi [INSERT FRIEND’S NAME], I just wanted to shoot you an email to tell you that I’m thinking about you and praying for you. -[INSERT YOUR FIRST NAME]”

8. “Happy birthday, [INSERT FRIEND’S NAME]!”

9. “I know patience doesn’t get noticed much, but I wanted to let you know that I notice it in you.”

10. “Thank you for being an example to my children.”

11. ” ‘[INSERT QUOTE FROM THAT PERSON’S BLOG POST].’ I liked that because [INSERT SOMETHING YOU APPRECIATE ABOUT THAT QUOTE].”

12. “You should follow [INSERT A FRIEND’S TWITTER NAME]. S/He always writes good stuff.”

13. “I love how much you laugh. Can you teach me?”

14. “Did you get a hair cut? It looks great.”

15. “Would you like to join us for Christmas/Thanksgiving dinner?”

16. “I’ll pray for you. Do you mind if I do it right now? [INSERT PRAYER]”

17. “Why have you continued so long already? Remember that when you want to quit.”

18. “Give me a call whenever. I’m always available for you.”

19. “[INSERT MATTEW 7:7-8]”

20. “You should pursue that. You have the talent, but I think you also have the hustle to make it to the end, which is really important.”

21. “I know you could have totally ripped his head off in that discussion, and probably been in the right. You really showed character by keeping your cool.”

22. “Hope you feel better.”

23. “Can I take you to lunch to get your advice on some things?”

24.”Dear [INSERT FRIEND’S NAME], thank you for having me over for dinner. I enjoyed the evening with you. -[INSERT YOUR NAME]”

25. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

26. “Is there anything I can do to help you with [INSERT THAT PERSON’S PRIMARY PROJECT AT THE MOMENT]?”

27. “What would you do if you were me?”

28. “[INSERT FRIEND’S NAME], I’d like you to meet someone.”

29. “I can’t pretend to understand what you must be feeling right now.”

30. “Can  I interview you?”

31. “I apologize for [INSERT REASON YOU’RE APOLOGIZING]. Will you forgive me?”

32. “I heard [INSERT RESPECTED PERSON] say, ‘[INSERT ENCOURAGING QUOTE].’ ”

33. “My pleasure.” (Instead of, “No problem.”)

34. “Just try it for one more month/week/day.”

35. “Would you like me to watch your kids for an evening so you can take a night off?”

36. “Are you reading through the Bible right now?”

37. “It’s supposed to be hard. If it weren’t, everyone would do it.” [Use your best impersonation voice.)

38. “Happy Valentine’s Day!” (Say it when it’s not even Valentine’s Day.)

39. “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.”

40. “You seem to support your friends more than anyone I know.”

41. “Let me bring you a meal. Do you like [INSERT DISH THAT YOU MIGHT PREPARE].”

42. “God bless you.”

43. “Jesus will never leave you or forsake you.”

44. “If you’d like someone just to listen to you, I’m here.”

45. “What has God been teaching you lately?”

46. “Do you mind if I share something that God’s been teaching me lately?”

47. “Here’s $20. Go buy a gift and give it to someone else.”

48. “Everyone, I’d just like to let you know that [INSERT FRIEND’S NAME] has been a fantastic support to me. S/He’s an outstanding friend.” (Say this at a large gathering.)

49. “Thank you for your support through this. I know I’ve not made this easy.”

50. “Jesus loves you.”

51. “Thank you so much. I couldn’t do your job.”

52. “I know this is weird, but let me give you a hug.” (Works better with some than others.)

53. “Let’s pretend today is Mother’s Day. What can I do to help out?”

54. “This is excellent. Can you give me the recipe?”

55. “I love you.”

56. “God is in control.”

57. “I take you for granted way too much.”

58. “This is the day that the Lord has made – let us be glad and rejoice in it.”

59. “Will you take a picture with me. I want to remember this moment forever.”

60. “You can be as close to God as you want. Draw near to Him, and He will draw near to you.”

61. “I recommended a friend to you.”

62. “Remember the now cheesy, Footprints poem? It’s true.”

63. “I don’t know what to say, but I’d like you to know that I’d say something amazing for you if I could.”

64. “I made a list of people who’ve inspired me in a deep way. You’re on it.”

65. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

66. “You’re someone I’d like to imitate.”

67. “My son/daughter/brother/sister wants to grow up to be just like you.”

68. “Can you feel God’s love?”

69. “May the Lord bless you and keep you and make His face to shine upon you.”

70. “You’re a blessing to me.”

“When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.” -Acts 11:23

Serving Suggestions:

(1) You have 70 to choose from, in this list alone. Pick at least one and use it within an hour of… right now.

(2) Add some of your own suggestions in the comments.