Vision Comes From WithinIhe Atụ

Encouragement

Upon losing my sight at the age of twelve, I made a lot of assumptions about what my life would be like. I assumed that certain things I had once participated in would no longer be a part of my life. Football was one of those things. I mean, how could a blind person play football? I was blind, and my childhood dream of playing for the Corbin Redhounds was gone.

Coach Farris, however, had quite a different perspective. He had spent a year thinking about me playing football blind. He believed that I could continue to be a Corbin Redhound. So, when my parents approached him about me working out with the team, he told them his plan. Coach Farris believed in me before I even knew how to believe in myself. He encouraged me, challenged me, and coached me through the process. Then when it came to actual game time, he showed the ultimate confidence and belief in me by putting me in live action. I can honestly say that without coach Farris’s belief in me, my life would look quite different. I don’t believe that I would have had the success and determination in other areas of life.

You never know what kind of impact your words of encouragement may have on a person’s life. I’m sure that coach did not think that he would impact my life in the way that he did. When I think about encouragement, I think about the story of Saul and Barnabas. In Acts chapter 9 Saul comes face to face with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus. His life is changed, and he begins to preach the gospel of Christ (ACT 9:1-22). When he attempted to join the disciples in Jerusalem, however, they did not immediately accept him (ACT 9:26a). They feared him and did not believe he was a true disciple (ACT 9:26b). I think we would all respond just like the disciples. We would have had doubts and concerns about a man like Saul.

Something amazing occurs though in verse 27. The text reads, “But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus (ACT 9:27).” When no one else believed in Saul, Barnabas believed. Barnabas believed in Saul, encouraged Saul, and ultimately ministered with Saul. Without the support and confidence of Barnabas, the ministry of Saul might have never been fully accepted by the Jerusalem church.

Your words of encouragement, to someone going through a trial, might be the one thing that makes a difference in their life. Be aware of the people around you, and do not pass up opportunities to express confidence and encouragement.