Are you feeling lower than a snake’s belly in a wagon rut? Do you need someone to lift you out of that funk? Get up and go look in the mirror, because the solution to your need for encouragement is looking right back at you! That’s right. If you need encouragement, the answer just might be for you to be an encourager.
I found this to be true in my own life. There have been times when my usually sunny disposition was blocked by dark clouds of discouragement. But, when I’ve made an effort to encourage someone else, I feel better. In fact, the more I encourage others, the better I feel. The dark clouds of discouragement begin to part, allowing my sunny disposition to reappear.
Paul’s Encouragement
It turns out I am not the first one to experience the benefit of being an encourager. The apostle Paul did as well! Paul had spent 3-1/2 years establishing and building the church in Ephesus. During that time, a wealthy man named Philemon heard Paul and became a disciple of Christ. Philemon returned home to Colossae, and in time, a church was established there meeting in Philemon’s house. Onesimus, one of Philemon’s slaves, ran away to Rome. Onesimus ended up meeting Paul and becoming a Christian himself. He no doubt told Paul about the church that met in his master Philemon’s home, because in his letter back to Philemon Paul says:
I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother (Philemon 1:7 NRSV).
Is that incredible? Paul is sitting in a Roman prison, and he writes that he has received much joy and encouragement from hearing how the church in Philemon’s home has been a benefit to the believers there. Paul is joyful and encouraged because others have been encouraged.
What a great lesson for us today. It is so easy to feel down and discouraged when everything doesn’t go our way. But we can turn that discouragement into joy simply by encouraging others.
An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up (Proverbs 12:25).
The writer of Hebrews said we are to encourage one another daily (Hebrews 3:13). Let’s all do that this year. Let this be the year of encouragement as believers; we find ways to encourage one another daily!
Application
Look for ways that you can be an encourager this week. Practice random acts of encouragement. This is especially important if you are feeling a bit down. Remember, if you need encouragement, be an encourager!
Join the Conversation
As always, comments and questions are encouraged. What difference has it made in your life when someone encouraged you? What difference did you make in someone else’s life when you provided the encouragement?
Category: Relationships | Encouragement
Words of encouragement are right on par with words of thanks in my book. It’s so easy to do both, and so much fun. Words of encouragement and words of thanks really stick when you add the “why”….notice that’s what Paul did in the passage above. Words of thanks and words of encouragement are feedback…combined with a “why” they can work to reinforce behavior that should be repeated…plus it’s just fun. Words of encouragement and words of thanks are “gifts”…and it’s better to give than receive!
Mark
So right Mark – there is a synergistic power in feedback that is encouraging and expresses appreciation!
Thanks for the encouragement Ron. Your words tie very well to a message in my local church this week. We begin each new year with a 3 week series in spiritual disciplines. This weeks message spoke to our attitudes and actions in the work place. As I examamine my life, I am a little convited that I can be a better, and more encouraging employee and manager.-jp
Jim – so glad this spoke to you and reinforced the message from your pastor. Encouraging others is a very satisfying way to get through the workday (works pretty well at home as well)!
You are so right I am up beat but there are times when life can pile on and doubts cloud our judgment – but the times I have felt God at work – even when God has put a challenge before me is when my brothers and sisters encourage me. I think this is a great resource in the Church, certainly it is one used very powerfully in some places – but I wonder if it is used often enough.
Charlie,
I agree – even a small encouragement offered when someone is facing a great challenge can make a big difference in someone’s life. All we have to do is look for opportunities to encourage those most in need!