The Gift of Encouragement
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“Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
How our world needs encouragers, people who will inspire us with courage and hope. Do you know of someone like that?
Mr. Turner, an elderly gentleman in our church, was such an encourager to me. He would leave reassuring notes in my mail box that said, “We believe in you!” Sometimes he’d phone and say, “If ever you need to talk, remember Mrs. Turner and I are here for you.”
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When I arrived at their small townhouse, Mrs. Turner would serve me a cup of tea. Mr. Turner would position himself so he could hear me better. Then they’d listen intently. They never minimized my pain. They had no pat answers. They admitted that sometimes it is difficult to understand God’s ways. What I remember most about our visits is how valued I felt. Listening to them pray for me, boosted my spirit and gave me hope to believe that God was still with me and He would see me through this.
I want to be an encourager like that, don’t you? These are some ways we can do it:
- Value others as God does. You will then treat each person with dignity and respect.
- Listen carefully without bringing in your own stories.
- Make a choice to build people up. “God never allows us to see another person’s faults so we may criticize them, but only that we might intercede (pray) for them,” writes Oswald Chambers.
- Praise them for the strengths you see in them.
Father, I thank you for each person who’s encouraged me on my faith journey. I want to encourage someone else today and build them up in the faith.
Questions: How can you be an encouragement to someone you know? Make a list of some ways that you can start being a deliberate encourager.
About the Author Helen Grace Lescheid
To be encouraging I’m told, takes good listening skills for one. Learn when to listen and when not to interrupt. We have two ears, why not lend one out for awhile?
To be encouraging I know, is to give truth as to why I’m courageous now. I was inspired by only one source, Christ. Why not share?
To be encouraging is easy-the source is un-condtional love that is infinite and easily transferable from me to you (if you let me).
If I’m given a compliment from someone else because, all said and done, that person felt better, I ask if I can step to the side and give their compliment directly to the Source. Reaction to that request usually brings a smile, an understanding smile. Oh, and then a hug of course!
I believe my ‘list’ changes from day to day because to me, a deliberate encourager is a mature Christian. I do not profess to be mature in faith (just yet)but, God willing, the best is yet to come.
Strangely enough (but not), just this morning my husband and I had THE most intimate faith chat between us (and of course the Lord as He pumps me up everytime). The time spent talking and taking in each word, not only brought us that much closer together, as husband and wife, but brought us together as one with the Lord. For eighteen of our twenty two years married (this April), he believed, I did not. With God’s blessing I pray that the next twenty two years(as a team) will have much encouragement to the next generation already growing up into young adults. As Jesus Christ encourages me, I, in turn, can’t help but not be!
I am so thankful for all of the people God has sent to me to give me encoragement. I hope I do the same for others I try very hard to
I was able to encourage someone last week in our BSF who was struggling with letting go of evil things, and worry. She shared w/ me today that she took heed to our discussion. She gave her worries to God immediately as they came up, and it saved her from evil thoughts and grief. PTL. When we really listen, God gives us rare “opportunities” to share His love and grace to even ppl we do not know. This devotion reminded me of that… to love and value others, listen, build ppl up, and pray for them. God is so good. Take heed to the opportunities and glorify Him.
wonderful testimony Helen – how blessed you were to have the Turners in your life. You have been the encourager in telling about them. May we all strive to be more that way.