As God’s children, we have a desire in our
hearts to do good and to please God. But
our good desires are often threatened by discouragement. We get discouraged for many reasons. We live in a world full of darkness and
evil. The news is full of terrible
tragedies and looming dangers. We see sickness, death, and sin among our family
members and neighbors. The enemy works through others to discourage us. People let us down. It’s no wonder we get discouraged.
Discouragement is a serious problem because it
can hinder us from serving God and experiencing His peace, joy, and power for
ministry.
It’s true that the world, our own flesh, and
the devil all are working against us.
But take heart! Someone far
greater than all the forces of evil put together is on our side! God is well aware
of the struggle we face and the need we have for encouragement. God encourages
His people in many ways, but one of His main methods of encouragement is
YOU. He works through us to encourage
each other:
NIV 1
Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other
up, just as in fact you are doing.
I am convinced that
encouragement is one of the most valuable ministries in the Church. Encouraged Christians are less likely to give
in to sin and are more likely to give, go, serve, witness, and shine for
Christ. Encouragement is like “our daily
bread”, we need it every day:
NIV Hebrews
3:13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called
"Today," so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.
We should encourage others with the words we
speak:
NIV Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any
unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building
others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
I think one key to encouraging others is to take time to listen to their
hearts. Be the kind of person others
feel safe to share with. Listen to their
hurts, fears, struggles, and desires.
And then pray with them.
Listening and praying is such a powerful ministry strategy (I give some
examples and advice on how to do this in a
post here).
We can also encourage people by praying for them. In fact, amazingly, through prayer we can
encourage people we don’t even know!
NIV Colossians
2:1-3 I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those
at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. My goal is that they
may be encouraged in heart and united in
love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order
that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all
the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
When Paul said he was “contending”
he was talking about praying. He uses
the verb form of the same Greek word translated “contending” in another verse
about prayer. In this verse the word is
translated “wrestling”:
NIV Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends
greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in
all the will of God, mature and fully assured.
So I am following Paul’s example and I am praying for all of you who will
read this, even if I don’t know you personally (I look forward to meeting you
in Heaven!). I’m praying that God will
encourage you to encourage others!
Hebrews 13:16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others . . .
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