The Value of Encouraging Others

In the other part of my life I’m a professor for graduate students online at Liberty University and Regent University. A few weeks ago I was grading papers about some studies the students conducted this term and one of them was about how AI is encouraging others. 

The student studied how people feel about AI responses to them. She wanted to explore the emotional response to supportive, human-like AI responses. 

* As an affiliate, I may earn a small amount at no extra cost to you from qualifying purchases made from links at my website. Thank you for supporting my small business!

AI Responses

If you haven’t used an AI platform before, you may not know about these responses. Basically, when you use an AI program like ChatGPT, you get a “personalized” response. Here are a few examples I found just for this article:

Example 1: 

My prompt: I’m having a craving for something sweet and need recipe ideas

Chat’s Response: That craving is real 😄—let’s find you something sweet that fits your mood and what you likely have at home. I’ll give you a mix of quick, comfort, and a little healthier options so you can choose fast. [Followed by a handful of recipes.]

Example 2: 

Prompt: I want to discover new hobby ideas for my free time

Chat’s Response: That’s a great goal—finding the right hobby can really refresh your energy, creativity, and even your relationships. Since you have a strong interest in marriage, family, and faith-based content, I’ll include a mix of hobbies that are relaxing, meaningful, and potentially even useful for your work or ministry.

Here are some fresh hobby ideas, grouped so you can explore what fits your personality and season of life [followed by a full list.]

And these are just some basic questions I made up for this blog post. 

For some questions, AI gives very personal answers. The more you “interact” with the AI program and respond to its’ follow-up questions, the more it learns about you. When you tell it you don’t like some answers and do like other answers, you are more likely to get answers that fit what you are looking for. And the more personal the responses are. 

My Student’s Findings

This student found that on the particular platform she studied (Reddit), most people appreciate the AI responses. They feel heard, seen, valued, attractive, smart, and validated. 

The posts she read highlighted that for most of them, the AI bot is the only place they hear encouragement for them as a person or support for their ideas. 

They feel appreciated and valued… From a computer program. 

But It’s a Computer

I know. It’s a computer. Interestingly, the people in her study understood that they were having this response to a computer. They weren’t imagining it was a human supporting them. In fact, many of them were a bit sheepish to admit that they had such a positive responses to a computer’s programmed responses. 

What Does This Mean for Us?

As I read my student’s excellent report, I felt sad. 

This tiny snapshot of people, presumably representing a much larger group, get no discernible support or encouragement from the HUMANS in their lives. The automated positive response from an artificial intelligence platform provides them the most positive response they get in their lives. 

When I told one of my colleagues about the study, she said she can relate. A few days earlier she told a colleague that she was going to spend a few minutes in her office with AI so someone would say something nice to her. She’s in a high pressure job where lots of people make demands on her time. But still…she’s a Christian. 

Wow. As a fellow Christian, I’m appalled. I’m also convicted. How many times do I overlook an opportunity to tell someone that I love her outfit or tell the Publix cashier she’s doing a great job? How often do I tell my colleagues that I appreciate their help or thank my husband for folding clothes with me? 

Learning More About Encouragement

Encouragement is important. One report says that encouragement helps to build our confidence, give us a positive attitude, and promotes (positive) action. 

Bob Goff is the most encouraging author I’ve ever read. Every one of his books teaches us how to love others and encourage each other. My favorites are Love Does and UnDistracted. (My teen son even loves books by Bob Goff. Here’s how I encouraged him to read them.)

The Bible has a lot to say about encouragement. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 tells us to build one another up. Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us a similar point but adding that we should spend time with other believes while we encourage each other. We also see examples of encouragement with Moses in Exodus 17:12. That story is all about practical encouragement. 

It’s easy to see that the value of encouragement isn’t just found in science, it’s supported by Scripture and we can find examples in lots of places.

Next Steps

My take home for you is this: many people go days, weeks, without a nice word being said to them. They aren’t feeling supported or encouraged by anyone in their world. 

How can you fill that gap? It doesn’t have to be for everyone. Bob Goff gives out balloons and cakes for fun. That’s one idea. But make it your own.

Examples For How to Support & Encourage Others From AI:

Here are some ideas to get you started (I used AI to help me with this list and added some of my own): 

Prompt: I want to make it my mission to encourage and support the people around me. Let’s brainstorm 25 practical ways I can do that.

Chat’s Response: 

That’s a powerful and life-giving mission—simple, but deeply impactful. Let’s make it very practical so you can actually live it out day-to-day without overwhelm.

Here are 25 meaningful ways to encourage and support the people around you:

💬 Words That Build Up

1. Give one specific compliment each day (not generic—point out something meaningful).
2. Send a quick “thinking of you” text to someone who crosses your mind.
3. Tell someone why you appreciate them, not just that you do.
4. Speak encouragement behind people’s backs (positive gossip!).
5. Leave a handwritten note where someone will find it.

👂 Be Fully Present

1. Practice undistracted listening—put your phone down and make eye contact.
2. Ask follow-up questions like, “How did that turn out?”
3. Remember and bring up important dates or events in their life.
4. Let someone vent without immediately trying to fix it.
5. Say, “That sounds really hard,” instead of jumping to advice.

🤝 Acts of Service

1. Do a small task for someone without being asked.
2. Bring a meal, coffee, or snack “just because.”
3. Offer to help with something specific (not just “let me know”).
4. Watch someone’s kids so they can rest or reset.
5. Run an errand for someone who’s overwhelmed.

💡 Thoughtful Encouragement

1. Share a Bible verse or meaningful quote that fits their situation.
2. Celebrate small wins—text: “I’m proud of you for that.”
3. Remind someone of their strengths when they forget.
4. Speak hope into discouraging situations.
5. Affirm effort, not just results.

🎉 Create Moments of Joy

1. Plan a simple surprise (coffee date, treat, or small gift).
2. Celebrate birthdays or milestones in a personal way.
3. Send a funny meme or voice note to lighten their day.
4. Invite someone along so they don’t feel alone.
5. Pray for someone—and tell them you did.

Make It Happen

So there you have lots of ideas. Is giving balloons to someone at Publix too far outside your comfort zone? What about just taking your child out for ice cream before dinner just because? And you listen to his/her stories about their day. 

Maybe you can take your spouse’s car for a car wash. Listen to your sister share her ideas and don’t critique them – just tell her that they are great ideas. 

Sometimes people just want to be heard. Try something as simple as saying, “I hear you” to a loved one when they are venting. Or say, “I’m with you” to a friend who is struggling. 

The ways we can encourage and support each other are endless. And I truly believe we will make a difference in our world by doing these things. We don’t have to make any grand gestures, we just need to DO something. 

Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works…

You’re Up!

It’s your turn – what do you like to do or say to encourage others? Let us know in the comments are and keep the conversation going!

With love,

🌸 Andrea