Once upon a time, 

A group of frogs were traveling through the woods, and two of them fell into a deep pit. All the other frogs gathered around the pit. When they saw how deep the pit was, they told the two frogs that they were 
as good as dead!
The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit with all of their might.  Those other frogs kept telling them to stop, that they were as good as dead.   Finally, one of the frogs grew so weary and sore that he took heed to what the other frogs were saying and gave up,  laid down and died.  
The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could.   Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die.   He jumped even harder and finally  made it out.    When he got out, the other frogs said,   
"Did you not hear us?" 
He was quite surprised...  "Hear you?  Oh, no,  I saw your mouths moving but I couldn't read your lips from there.   You see,  I'm  altogether deaf.   What was it you were saying?  

They then explained about how terrible it was to watch them suffering and that was why they were all encouraging them to give up their futile struggling.  <remember Job in the Bible?>   

He was amazed as he watched their lips and understood what had actually happened!     All the while, he had continued trying, thinking that they were actually encouraging him the entire time!

This story teaches two lessons:

#1. There is power of life and death in the tongue. An encouraging word to someone who is down can lift them up and help them make it through the day.

#2. A destructive word to someone who is down can be what it takes to kill them. Be careful of what you say. Speak life to those who cross your path!   

Encouraging words can go such a long way!   Anyone can speak words that tend to rob another of the spirit to continue in difficult times.   Special is the individual who will take the time to encourage another.    Please pass this on to someone? I did.   And together, we can make this world a better place.

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in Gods' likeness.   Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.    My brethren, this should not be so.  (James 3:9-10)