God: "I looked for someone to take a stand for me, and stand in the gap" (Ezekiel 22:30)
Spiritual encouragement, therefore, is applying biblical principles to every situation with a view toward bringing each person into right relationship with God. At times spiritual encouragement may “feel”’ harsh. It may not be what one “desires” to hear. That may be true regardless of how gentle the words are which are used. As people fallen from grace we often don’t want to hear the truth. We often just want to hear what will make us feel better. In the end, however, only true spiritual encouragement can be used by God to touch the soul of one.
The woman was made of a rib out of the side of Adam; not made out of his head to top him, nor out of his feet to be trampled on by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be loved by him.