“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25, NIV).
Everyone, it seemed, was living her best life but me.
Pulling my van into the garage, I sent my kids into the house to unload their backpacks. Just a few minutes to myself, I thought, as I picked up my phone and scrolled through my social media feed.
I thumbed through pictures of friends documenting their redecorated kitchens, fun weekend excursions, and date nights out in wedded bliss. Others logged in how many miles they’d run that morning or made celebration-worthy announcements.
The longer I scrolled, the more I compared, and the worse I felt. I’d already battled a gloomy heaviness that day, triggered by a couple of disappointments and some burdens simmering in a soup of my emotions. Now, my feed seemed like a neon reminder of everything I was missing as a single mom and all that my kids no longer had after my husband’s death.
My spirits desperately needed to be lifted.
I knew I needed to stop scrolling. So instead, I started texting encouragement to friends who needed it. I checked up on friends I hadn’t talked to in a while, asking how they were doing and seeing how I could pray for them. Back and forth, I texted, sending scriptures, prayers, and updates.
And then something unexpected happened. Those friends asked how I was doing and how they could pray for me. My phone lit up with their scriptures, prayers, and updates for me. Slowly but surely, my gloominess dissipated, and I felt lighthearted and encouraged.
Proverbs 11:25 says, “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” God created us so that as we encourage others, we ourselves are encouraged.
The Hebrew wording for this verse says, “One who waters will himself be watered.” As we pour out encouragement and help of all kinds to others, the Spirit pours into us.
We’re meant to live both poured out and poured into.
It’s easy to think we’re too tired or stressed to offer anyone else encouragement when we need it so desperately ourselves. But God’s supply is inexhaustible. We can never pour out so much that we are left completely empty.
God created us for community. He knows our tendency is to get caught up in our need. But that hyperfocus on ourselves, even in real need, only makes our hearts heavier. First Thessalonians 5:11 tells us to encourage one another and build each other up.
We can encourage each other through texts, handwritten notes, or phone calls. We can check in on one another, take a meal, or listen well. We can pour into a friend through prayer, then follow up afterward.
Our best life isn’t found scrolling on a feed. Our best life is letting Jesus pour into us so we can pour out to others.
Dear Lord, forgive me for getting so self-focused that I overlook the needs around me. Help me seek You and Your Word first so that out of Your abundance, I can encourage someone else. Renew my heart so that I no longer see what’s missing but only see all that You’ve given. In Jesus’ name, amen.
One First 5 reader shared: “I start my day with the First 5 app and love how it helps me dive into God’s Word. So many days I feel like there’s a message tucked in there that was meant for me … The past seven years have been a difficult season, but God has been with me every step, and the devotions keep me focused on Him.” Stories like this are possible because friends like you invest in this ministry. Every day, women open First 5 looking for biblical Truth that steadies their hearts and draws them closer to Jesus. And right now, your help is vital to keep it that way. We still have a financial year-end funding gap to close — and the September 30 deadline is almost here. So thank you for your gift today to help more women experience the same encouragement, hope, and Truth.
Get hope and healing through loss with Lisa’s free guide “7 Days of Hope for Your Shattered Heart.” Find out more about Lisa’s new book, God of Comfort: A Devotional Journal for the Grieving Heart, on her website, and connect with her on Instagram for near-daily inspiration!
Galatians 6:2, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (ESV).
Philippians 2:4, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (ESV).
1 Thessalonians 5:11, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” (NIV).
What’s one simple way you can reach out to refresh someone who might need it today? Share your ideas with us!
© 2026 by Lisa Appelo. All rights reserved.
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