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We exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. (1 Thessalonians 2:12)
Last week, I came across this tweet by Dane Ortlund:
“A few weeks ago an older pastor said to me in passing, “You’re doing well.”
It took him about five seconds to formulate the thought, say the words, and move on. Two weeks later—whether he’s right or not—I’m still drawing strength from it.
The supernatural power of encouragement.”
What a tender activity the ministry of encouragement is! When done right, it always comes from a gentle and loving heart. I believe that the opposite of the spirit of encouragement is the spirit of jealousy. A heart that harbours bitterness and envy will not utter life-giving words that seek to uplift and gently mould the other person. We read in Genesis 37:4 that Joseph’s brothers “hated him and could not speak a kind word to him”. An envious heart spews words of hate and deception – meant to tear down the one who hears them. Other times, it can be more subtle – being deceptively soft about what they say but harbouring ill-intent and resentfulness.
King Saul’s opinion of David was always darkened by his deep jealousy of the young shepherd and it led him to multiple attempts of murder. Saul’s persistence in following his own will made him susceptible to wickedness and a hardened heart. On the other hand, his son Jonathan was used by God to uplift David multiple times. Jonathan’s very life was threatened because of his loyalty to David, and yet Jonathan was certainly a faithful friend. 1 Samuel 23:16 reads: “And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God.” This is at the very heart of biblical encouragement – to help others find in strengthen in God. What wonders God carries out with one heart that is yielded to Him!
Being silent when you should be speaking out affirming words of love is also not pleasing to the Lord. We are called “the body of Christ”. God charges Moses to “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.” What a heart Moses must have had if the Lord boldly gave him this command! Joshua was to lead the Israelites to the land that Moses wanted to enter into but was denied that request by God. And yet, the Lord asks him to encourage Joshua and to train him. What humility and grace that must have required for Moses to accept God’s charge! Interestingly, God could have chosen to teach Joshua face-to-face as well – in the same manner He spoke to Moses. But God never uses supernatural means when physical means are possible. It should bring us great joy that God usually works for man through man. It reminds us of our dependency on other members of the body of Christ and forms a bond of brotherhood.
The act of encouragement becomes a God-honouring ministry when done intentionally and with a pure motive. There’s a fine line between encouragement and flattery. The goal here is not to flatter people and to make them feel good about themselves. Christ-honouring encouragement isn’t a reminder to people of what they are capable of but a celebration of what the Spirit of God can do in and through them. That kind of encouragement reminds people that their source of help and strength lies not in themselves but in God.
A prime example of this kind of action is Mordecai. He encourages Esther to be God’s instrument and to go before the king (against all odds) to seek the welfare of the Jews. Although Esther was cowering with fear at the idea, Mordecai’s timely words of courage and reassurance led Esther to utter the famous words: “If I perish, I perish”. Esther went on to deliver the Jewish people from utter annihilation with the help of her cousin Mordecai. Had he not encouraged her to stand up for what she knew was right, God would have had to raise someone else to bring relief and deliverance to the Jews.
What power lies in our words! Proverbs 18:21 says death and life are in the power of the tongue. Fervently strive to encourage others. Pour out words of life to the anxious among you, remove stumbling blocks out of the way of the overwhelmed, coax along the young believer and fan every fame of Christ into a fire. Comfort the pained, share the burden of the weary, soothe the wounds of the afflicted and encourage the dejected. Speak a word in season to him that is weary, and encourage those who are hesitant to go on their way with gladness.
Spare a moment to truly analyse when was the last time you said something, wrote something, called someone, or gave someone something for the sole purpose of encouraging them. If you find that you are lacking, today is a good day to begin.
Allow me to share five practical ways in which you can be an encourager.
Firstly, get familiar with the word of God. You must be an avid student of God’s word. His word is our primary means of encouragement. Lacking in biblical knowledge is a surefire way to mislead someone or to prioritise your beliefs and opinions over what God wants. We must be prepared, willing and able to share a word of encouragement to anyone that God brings into our lives. This cannot happen if we are not intimately acquainted with the Scriptures.
Secondly, be specific. For instance, if you appreciate someone for their friendship, abstain from making sweeping statements like “you’re a good friend” unless the reason is explicitly understood in that situation. Instead, you could say “Thank you for being so attentive to my needs and moods. You come through each time and make me feel noticed and valued” or “ You make me laugh at the most unexpected times. Thank you for bringing much-needed joy into my life”. Let your words be impactful, genuine and intentional. Always strive to leave a mark on each person you cross paths with.
Thirdly, encourage people through gifts. It need not be very expensive – they can be cards, bookmarks and simple art that bear healing words, uplifting quotes or verses from the Bible that speak to their situation. Each time they come across your gift, it will serve as a reminder that they are special to you and have moved you enough to give them something tangible. Be thoughtful in your gift-giving. This will spur you to give even little gifts in great love.
Fourthly, you can greatly encourage people through prayer. I have a very special friend who prays often over the phone for me. Although we live continents away, she almost always ends our conversations with a word of prayer. What a boost that brings to my spirit. I am assured that all of our concerns have been taken to God in prayer and that He has already begun to work in that situation. Whether you are like my friend or whether you pray for others in private, let people know that you are praying for them so that they know that they are not alone on their journey.
And finally, a particularly effective way to communicate encouragement is to share your testimony. Perhaps you have gone through something similar that a friend is going through currently and sharing your experience will revive their spirit. Talk over and over about answered prayers and the many serendipitous ways God showed up for you. This in turn will help them draw strength from your experience
Make it a goal to encourage one person each day. It is a discipline that will help, in turn, to lift your spirits and render you precious to those who are helped by you. Begin in your own home – it would be an act of hypocrisy to let members of your family go unnoticed as you go around encouraging others. You ought to be the biggest cheerleader of your spouse. Encourage your children – speaking words of life over them. If you are only speaking up to condemn their actions, you are breaking their spirit. Catch them when they do positive things and appreciate them. Notice them when they are down or not doing so well and encourage them heartily. They will bloom under your life-giving words.
How closely you imitate the Holy Spirit when you carry out this blessed ministry! The Holy Spirit is described as our Helper. He brings the promises of God to mind and spurs us on to good works. He encourages us to will and to do his will and pleasure. What greater role model do we have? Let us imitate divine wisdom and lead those in the darkness into the light – cheering them on their way.
1 comment
Wow Eve! What a powerful thought!!
Blessed
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