Love Thy Neighbour – hoodSample

ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you’ve doubted your ability? Maybe you’re a mother or father struggling with the challenges of parenting. Maybe you own a business and often wonder whether you’re making the right decisions. Maybe you work in an industry where you worry that your best effort just isn’t good enough.

I found myself in a similar situation.  I was tired, stressed and overwhelmed with the amount of work piling up.  But then a positive, uplifting email came through from my boss which changed my whole mindset. What I realized is that this simple word of encouragement not only eased the stressful situation but also spurred me on to continue charging forth toward my goal. 

In the midst of turbulent times have you ever received a word of encouragement from your spouse, boss or fellow employee that uplifted your spirits and encouraged you to keep going? Perhaps you have been the one to encourage someone else during difficult times. 

As a neighbourhood community group of young adults who love Jesus and love people, we need to be encouragers. God gave us this community to walk alongside one another and encourage each other in our walk with Jesus. Life can throw many curve balls at us, but we do not have to face them alone. The Bible says that we are to pray for one another, care for one another and carry each other’s burdens. Never underestimate the power of an encouraging text message, email, phone call or conversation. As we encourage one another, our spirits are uplifted, and we shine the light and love of Jesus. 

We have been called not only to encourage one another in life, but also in our faith and walk with Jesus. The Bible says, "Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works." As we belong to this community, we have the responsibility to be encouraging one another in our faith and encouraging each other to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, no matter what we may be going through. 

Just like the encouraging email from my boss lifted my spirits and kept my eyes focused on the job at hand in my career, it is our responsibility, as believers, to lift each other’s spirits through encouragement, and spur each other on to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.

Prayer: Jesus, Thank You that I can always count on you. Lord, I ask you to help me to be an encourager. Please help me to care for others and carry their burdens. Help me to spur others on in their faith so that my eyes, and theirs, would remain fixed on You. Amen.