It is so uplifting to be around someone who encourages us. And the reverse is also true. How depressing it can be to be around someone who always wants to bring us down. Which one are you? Are you an encourager? The Bible has much to say about being an encourager.
Biblical Exhortation to Encourage One Another
"And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:25
Exhort is a word that means encourage. We need to be stirred up, encouraged to do good works, to love others and, as the writer tells us, this needs to be done even more as we "see the Day approaching". What 'Day' is he referring to? The return of the Lord, Judgement Day. At this time encouragement will be needed even more because sin will abound and Christians will see persecution increase.
Barnabas: A Biblical Example of an Encourager
An example of an encourager was Barnabas. In Acts 4:36 we read that the apostles changed his name from Joseph to Barnabas, which means "Son of Encouragement". Barnabas brought Paul to the apostles after Paul's conversion and recommended Paul to them. Knowing Paul's reputation as someone who hunted down Christians, it is doubtful that they would have accepted Paul without Barnabas's recommendation. Barnabas helped support the early church financially. Barnabas brought Paul to Antioch (modern day Antakya, Turkey) to help establish the first church outside of Jerusalem. Barnabas went with Paul on his first missionary journey and mentored his cousin, John Mark, who would go on to help Timothy. Barnabas was a faithful encourager.
Encouraging Through Our Words
Ephesians 4:29 has this to say about encouraging each other,
"Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them." (NLT)
No one is encouraged by being told that they are stupid or bad at what they are doing. Be positive about what others are doing well and encourage them to do even better. Does your friend in Christ read a few verses of Scripture aloud at church once a week? Be positive about this. Commend them and encourage them to dig deeper. Do you know someone who is thinking of starting a mission, or making a Christian YouTube channel. or thinking of reading the Bible all the way through. Be helpful to them. Pray for them and let them know you are.
The Blessing of Having an Encourager in Your Life
I have a dear friend who is such an encourager. It is her gift I believe. She always tries to bring out the best in me. What a blessing it is to have someone like this in your life. There are plenty of people who tell you that you can't accomplish a goal because it's too hard, plenty of people who will criticize every move you make, either to your face or behind your back. But what a blessing to have someone who lifts you up and who believes in you.
Daily Encouragement to Prevent Losing Faith
Hebrews 3:13 tells us to "exhort one another daily" . Why should we do this? So we do not lose faith like the Israelites did as they wandered in the desert in Exodus. Their lack of trust in God led to their lack of faith and ultimately to discipline from God. So to not lose our faith, encouragement is needed daily. We have a responsibility to our Christian brothers and sisters to encourage them to walk uprightly in their faith.
What Does Encouragement Look Like?
What does this encouragement look like? It can be a simple reminder to others of what God has done for them in the past. Or it can be a story about what God has done for you in a similar circumstance that you share with your friends. It can be sharing a favorite Bible verse. It can be a hug, a listening ear or simply assuring them that you love them as God does. As Christians, we build up those around us instead of tearing them down.
Encouragement in the Early Church
In Paul's letter to the Thessalonians he writes this,
"So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing." 1Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT)
It would have been difficult for the early church to survive if, instead of people who encouraged each other, they had been surrounded by naysayers who constantly talked about the impossibility of reaching others for Christ.
God: Our Greatest Encourager
Ultimately, God is our greatest encourager. When we study His word we realize that He is there for us ALWAYS. He will not abandon us. He seeks our good. He cares and loves us. In Isaiah 41:10 God says,
" Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’"
This is the blessing of encouragement. It strengthens us to do the will of our Lord.
Closing Prayer: A Prayer for Encouragement
Dear Father,
Thank you for those who encourage me. Help me to be an encourager to those around me. Thank you Father for Your encouragement that strengthens me. Thank you Father for upholding me with Your righteous hand when I cannot go on.
In Jesus's blessed name, Amen
Enjoy this beautiful hymn, "You Are Mine" sung by David Hass.
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