In the 2010 BBC Radio program "Billy Preston: That's the Way God Planned It", former Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman, the show's presenter, lamented that Preston's solo career tended to be overshadowed by his work as a sideman for better-known acts such as the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. With reference to "That's the Way God Planned It" and "Encouraging Words", Wakeman said: "It's very frustrating when people only remember Billy as a session man, because these two largely overlooked albums are absolute gems – a perfect combination of gospel and funk." Apple historian and "Record Collector" journalist Andy Davis describes the two albums as "warm powerful soul records that blend gospel, funk and R&B, shot through with elements of rock", and he highlights "Encouraging Words" as "one of the finest titles in the Apple Records catalogue". recorded in December 1969. Released in January 1970, the song was co-written with soul singer Doris Troy, whose self-titled Apple album was originally released on the same day as "Encouraging Words".