EncouragementSample

More than a cheerleader

I’m sure we all know what encouragement is and how much it benefits others, but how often do we actually do it? Does uplifting someone come naturally to you? Do you cheer others on, get alongside them, lift their eyes? With some people in your life, it’s easy to encourage. They please you; you encourage them. It’s simple. But with others, it can be painful. We fight against it. Usually for the wrong reasons – we’re jealous, frustrated, in conflict with them, don’t want them to get the upper hand. Yet, Paul’s words to the Thessalonians command them to encourage everyone, as a reflection of God’s love and grace.

Encouragement is like a muscle – the more you work it and practice it, the more natural it becomes. For the times it feels more difficult, try meeting misunderstandings with others using grace.

The New Testament verb translated encourage can also mean ‘to comfort, cheer up, console, speak in a friendly manner’. So, encouragement could just come as a kind word. I’ll never forget the (sadly only a few) times that a stranger shared a kind word with me, as I physically battled my screaming and flailing toddler into a shopping trolley.

But a kind word is more than that; it can have eternal consequences. Let’s encourage one another with scripture and encourage one another with stories of God’s faithfulness in our lives. In fact, why not text someone right now to lift them up? I guarantee it’ll breed joy. So go and make a difference in someone’s day. It might just show them a glimpse of God’s love.

Written by BREE BOND