Every normal person needs encouragement during the trying circumstances of life. It is needed in the home as husbands and wives encourage each other, and as parents encourage their children. Good teachers find opportunities to encourage their students who may be struggling in their work. Employers and fellow employees often provide encouragement in the workplace. Truly, in any worthwhile pursuit, there is a need to receive or to give encouragement.
Since our relationship with Christ and with Christians is a lifelong pursuit, the opportunity to encourage others—or to be encouraged—is repeatedly available. What a ministry one could fulfill by simply working at being an encourager! Think about the personal reward of knowing you have helped someone through just a few thoughtful words. Solomon wrote, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” (Prov. 25:11) Again, “…a word spoken in due season, how good it is!” (Prov. 15:23b)
The word encourage means “to inspire with courage,” “to give confidence,” or “to stimulate, stir up.” This can be done by the words we speak as well as by the example we set. Someone may look at us and say, “Well, if he can do it, I believe I can too.” Scripture exhorts us: “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, but exhorting one another…” (Heb. 10:24-25).
The word exhort is even stronger than encourage. It means “to urge earnestly” or “to admonish strongly to do what is proper.” Who does the stirring up and exhorting? One another! Every member of the church is needed in giving encouragement.
Here are a few practical ways you can be an encourager:
- Send a card to the sick, shut-in, bereaved, or discouraged, letting them know you are praying for them.
- Visit someone with the intention of giving encouragement.
- Use your telephone for more than business—make a call to lift someone up.
- Lend a helping hand without expecting anything in return.
- Invite someone to help you in a project designed to bless another. Three people will be encouraged through the same deed!
- Commend someone for a good job done in the Lord’s service.
- Point out the positive strengths you see in a brother or sister, and tell them how much their example means to you.
- Pray for the discouraged each day—and let them know you are praying for them.
Brethren, God has given us the means to encourage others in every good work. We simply need to use what we have to build up, edify, and inspire. “The Lord has given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary…” (Isa. 50:4). “Let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.” (Rom. 14:19)
0 Comments