The Deeper Meaning of Inspire and Encourage
By Steve Gahagen
I’ve always been drawn to the words inspire and encourage. At first glance, they may seem simple—motivational buzzwords, even. But their deeper meanings offer something far more powerful.
To inspire literally means “to breathe into.” It’s about giving life—infusing hope, energy, and purpose. It’s more than cheering someone on; it’s awakening what already exists within them. It’s igniting a spark that leads them to rise, to act, and to pursue something greater. To inspire is to touch both the heart and the mind—calling people forward into their extraordinary stories.
We often think of encourage as simply making someone feel better when they’re down. But the root meaning is far more fierce: it means “to fill with courage.” Encouragement is not just about comfort—it’s about calling someone to rise up. It’s about helping them overcome fear, face obstacles, and persevere with strength.
Sometimes, true encouragement doesn’t feel good in the moment—it feels like a challenge. Because it is. Real encouragement is not about keeping someone in a place of comfort, but pushing them toward their full potential. It may require discomfort. It may mean being lovingly honest. It often means refusing to let someone settle for less than they’re capable of.
The truth is, not all “encouragers” are helping. Some simply want to make people feel better—but in doing so, may be keeping them from becoming better.
We need voices that do more than soothe.
We need people who will breathe life into us.
We need people who will call us to courage and greatness.
That’s the kind of inspiration—and encouragement—the world needs most.
Questions to Consider:
Share a couple of stories about people who have inspired or encouraged you.
What are three ways to inspire people or fill them with courage?
What are you doing to give life and courage to those in your sphere of influence?