A Dose of Encouragement
I have been blessed with much encouragement over the last few years. Just this past Sunday, a fellow church member stopped me and simply said “Hey, how are you doing? Been praying for you.” It meant a lot to be encouraged that way. This article will take a little different approach. It is intended to make you think by asking some questions, hopefully causing you to reflect, and then (hopefully) encouraging you (and me) to take action by being a blessing of encouragement to others. So let’s get started together!
First, how do you define encouragement? One of my pastors growing up, Pastor VanderKlok, was known for ending sermons with this challenge “You think about that this week.” And it was challenging to be “encouraged” that way! Encouragement can mean so much more than simply supporting one another. So start out by thinking what encouragement means to you, what it has meant to you, and more importantly, what it means to others when you have encouraged them.
Second, and more importantly, what does the Bible say about encouragement? Please feel free to look up some favorite passages on encouragement, but here are a few of mine (with a question or several to ponder).
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV): “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
Why is important to encourage / build each other up? Who are some good encouragers in your life?
Deuteronomy 3:28 (NIV): “But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see.”
Why did Joshua need encouragement during this time? How do you encourage your church leaders?
Psalm 10:17 (NIV): “You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry.”
Looking at it from their perspective, why is it important to comfort and encourage the afflicted? What is needed? A listening ear? A friend of mine refers to this as The Ministry of Presence . . . of just being there to listen, even when you may not have the right words to say.
Acts 15:30-34 (NIV): “So they were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter. The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message. Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the believers. After spending some time there, they were sent off by the believers with the blessing of peace to return to those who had sent them.”
How do people tend to respond when you compliment them? How do you respond to the compliments you get from others? How does it make you feel? What is a good way to respond to compliments? Why don’t people encourage and complement each other more often?
Romans 12:6-8 (NIV): “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”
If you have it or are developing it as a gift, how are you using your gift of encouragement?
Think of someone who could use a few words of encouragement right now. Is it a new believer? A new leader? A more seasoned leader? Someone going through a trial? A fellow sister or brother who just needs a good word of encouragement to keep moving forward? What would you like to say to him or her? What might they need to hear from you? Can you go even further and encourage others to encourage others? Now is your opportunity to share those words of encouragement. Trust me, a dose of encouragement will mean so much to the person on the receiving end of your kindness.