We’re living in a time where the next generation is slipping through the cracks—not because they’re not spiritual, but because they’re not inspired. The alarm has sounded. If the Church doesn’t rise up, we risk losing our influence and misrepresenting Christ altogether.

Let me remind us of our calling—to invest in people, especially the next generation. But to truly reach them, we must shift from merely instructing to influencing. Because here’s the truth: people don’t follow rules, they follow relationships.

Influence Before Instruction

We’ve become better at pointing fingers than offering a hand. But real change doesn’t come from telling people what to do—it comes from living a life that shows them who Jesus is.

Influence is the capacity to shape someone’s character or behavior. And the quickest path to influence? Encouragement.

Encouragement literally means “to put courage in.” Every time you speak life over someone, you’re strengthening their spirit. You’re lifting their eyes. You’re planting hope.

Jesus Modeled This Perfectly

When others shouted, Jesus stayed calm. When the Pharisees tried to trap Him with loaded questions, He answered with wisdom or silence. Why? Because He wasn’t trying to win arguments—He came to win hearts.

Imagine if we lived that way—quick to listen, slow to speak, and always willing to lift others up. That’s the kind of life that draws people to Jesus.

Keep Calm and Encourage On

James 1:19 says it clearly: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”

Sadly, too many Christians have flipped that. We’re quick to speak, slow to listen, and constantly angry. We’ve confused loud opinions with bold faith. But shouting doesn’t equal shining.

It’s not about us versus them. It’s about us for them.

Don’t Lose Influence to Impulse

Whether it’s with our kids, coworkers, or complete strangers—how many times have we lost influence by giving in to the impulse to be right?

You can be right—and still be wrong if you’re not loving.

We must stop shouting opinions and start sharing hope. It’s not about having the loudest voice. It’s about having the clearest heart.

Be an Encourager This Week

• Speak life over your spouse.
• Tell your kids who they’re becoming, not just what they’re doing.
• Build up a coworker.
• Be a light online.

The world is starving for courage. Let’s be the ones who put it in.

Final Thought: Influence Over Instruction. People Over Opinions. Love Over Loudness.

You don’t have to change everyone. You just have to love the one in front of you.

Let’s be the Church that puts courage in the hearts of those around us. The kind of Church that stops reacting in impulse and starts responding with influence.

Stay strong. Stay calm. And encourage on.