The Neglected Gift

When was the last time you encouraged someone on the job, at school or at church?  Think now.  Be honest with yourself.

The sulfuric acid of discouragement is much more freely dispensed today than the soothing salve of an encouraging word.  Encouragement is one of God’s most effective antibodies to ward off infection in a family, on the job, at school or in the Church.

Mark Twain once quipped, “I live off one good compliment for a week.”

Christ was the master encourager.  He encouraged the full potential of people, clearly communicating that their interests were His interests.  His encouragement knitted the disciples together.  He encouraged Mary and Martha at Lazarus’ death.  The most encouraging thing is that Christ is guiding us toward becoming perfect in every way just like Him and God the Father (Matthew 5:48).

The apostle Paul’s letters throb with encouragement, strong words to prod us in our understanding of God’s grace as in II Corinthians 6:1 (read).

In Colossians 3:21, he particularly exhorts fathers to beware of discouragement.

God’s Word, both Old and New Testaments, encourages us to encourage each other.

Perhaps you could benefit from the following examples in a personal Bible study as I did.

Encouragement glorifies God.  Read Romans 15:5-6.  When we encourage each other, we are fulfilling God’s ultimate purpose in creating us.  Encouragement is part of God’s character and should be ours also.

Christ also had encouraging words with in John 14:26 He promised the Holy Spirit when He left the earth.  It is called the “comforter”, which is the same word for encouragement.

Encouragement is commanded by God.  Read I Thessalonians 5:11.  The apostle Paul had one important concern that was constantly on his mind – to do all he could when he could to build up the Body of Christ – certainly a prime example for us.

And knowing he could only do so much as an individual, his strategy was to transfer this concern to others, to encourage every other Christian to develop the same concern for all (Colossians 2:2).

The basis Greek word for encouragement used in I Thessalonians 5:11, appears in several forms in the New Testament.  At times the word is translated “to exhort, to admonish, or to teach,” at other times “to beg, entreat or beseech.”  It is also translated to “to console, to encourage, to comfort.”

For example Paul, giving the qualities for eldership in his letter to Titus, emphasized that an elder (read Titus 1:9).

As well, when Paul, Silas and Timothy ministered to the new members in Thessalonica they dealt with each one of them as, read I Thessalonians 2:11-12.

Additionally read Hebrews 10:24-25.

Encouragement deters getting off the track.  Read Hebrews 3:13.  Paul insists that this be daily and especially on the Sabbath.  Repeatedly.  Mark Twain might have lived off a compliment for week but being encouraged every day would have made him seven times stronger.

Preventive maintenance isn’t just a good idea for cars and machines but critical for smooth running relationships.  No doubt, if the word no were censored from some peoples conversations, the silence would be deafening.

An encouraging word would get more mileage than a “no.”  Silence is not encouragement, a word of appreciation is.

We all need to be doing as Paul exhorts in I Thessalonians 2:10-12.

Encouragement is a way of life.  When was the last time you called someone that you know is going through a trail of sort and said, “Just thinking about you and wanted to let you know that I am praying for you and I am here if you ever need me.”   This person may have a cardiac arrest but take the chance.

Do you buy cards for others to send at random to offer them encouragement?

Your minister delivers a helpful sermon.  Do you take a minute to go up to him after services and express encouragement?  Every minister, teacher, writer knows the discouragement of pouring themselves out to an audience and not receiving a single encouraging comment.

Don’t forget to be a light in offices, stores and at school.  In our working relations we should try to remember that the girl at the next counter, the man at the next desk or in the adjoining office is a human being first of all and after that a salesperson, an accountant or department head.  And all human beings hunger for encouragement.

If it is difficult for you to encourage or compliment others and enjoy their successes or sympathize in misfortune, take a close look at your personality.  Why is this true?

Some people cannot compliment or encourage others and enjoy their success because they had always been the center of attention themselves.  They want all the attention.  This of course, represents a serious spiritual problem.  Reread Philippians 2:1-5 and meditate on it every day.

Before we do anything else today, let’s commit ourselves to becoming encouragers, making our home, job, school and church that special place where “never is heard a discouraging word.”