POWER OF ENCOURAGEMENT

The fear of the dark is one of the common fears faced by children. However, this fear of darkness is in adults too – but it’s just a different kind of darkness. Darkness for adults may represent failures, doubts, and worries for their future.

Today, this darkness is so apparent all over the world - financial instability, sicknesses with no cures, rising terrorism, and earthquakes to name a few. It’s causing great fear among families, leaders, companies, and countries. So as Christians, how then do we bring light to this increasingly dark world filled with fear?

The antidote to fear is courage. First Thessalonians 5:14 tells us, “And we urge you brethren… encourage the fainthearted…” To encourage is to literally “add courage.” It means to give support, confidence, or hope to someone.

One way to encourage is through the words we speak because our words can have powerful effects. 

What we say counts. Proverbs 18:21 tells us, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

Humans are social beings. It is built inside of us to need others. We will seldom make it on our own. In a time of depression, darkness, and despair, a word of encouragement from others can give strength that will enable one to press on.

Even as toddlers, our parents encouraged us by telling us to "Go on, you can do it! Try again! I’m all the way behind you!" We learned to walk, change our clothes, eat by ourselves, and pass our school exams because of our parents’ encouraging words.

But adults need encouragement as well, especially in their workplace. In a survey of employees at seven hundred companies, the majority said that a caring boss was more important to them than how much they earned.

There is a common Chinese expression called “加油!” (jiayou!). It’s a way of saying “Go! Go! Go!” to a sports team you’re rooting for and “don’t give up!” or “hang in there!” to a friend who’s feeling down. Literally, “jiayou!” means “to add fuel.”

It’s like refueling someone so they can keep going on in life. As Christians, we can “add fuel” to those who are running low on strength and joy by cheering them on with words of encouragement.

We can do this by sharing specific verses from the Bible that can apply to their specific situation as God reminds. We can also share personal testimonies of people who’ve gone through trials similar to theirs. We can also pray together with them.

Another way to encourage others is by being by their side to help them.

Encouragement in Greek is “paraklēsis” which means “a calling near to help” or “to call near.” This “calling near” can come in the form of summoning for help and sympathy and also comforting, consoling, exhorting.

This paraklēsis is something we can receive from God (2 Cor. 1:3-4) and the Scriptures (Rom. 15:4) when we call to Him for help. And we are also called to pass on the paraklēsis we receive from God by comforting and consoling those who are suffering.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

There was a man in the Bible called Barnabas. His real name was Joseph or Joses but he was called Barnabas, meaning “Son of Encouragement,” because he was such an encourager. To support the poorer members of the Church, he sold his property to contribute the money to their needs. He was also the missionary partner of Paul for a time.

This tells us that we can encourage others not only by our words but also through our deeds. 

Sometimes, being there by their side is enough to encourage them as it shows that we care. We can also encourage by giving a simple tap on the shoulder.

Jesus Himself touched the lepers and the outcasts of the society in His time. Lending a helping hand and giving our time and money are other practical ways to encourage others. Lastly, we can pray that God will draw them near to Him.

Why do we need to encourage others?

- To keep the fainthearted from quitting. (1 Thess. 5:14, Acts 11:22-23)

- To draw out potential in others. (Deut. 1:37-39, 2 Tim. 4:11)

- To help people see God in the tough times. (James 1:2-4; Rom. 8:28)

- To strengthen others. (Phil. 1:14, Prov. 27:17)

- To strengthen the Church community. (Heb. 10:24-25, Acts 11:22-23)

What if I am the one who is discouraged?

David spent years wandering in the wilderness because King Saul wanted to kill him. At Ziklag, while David and his men were away, the Amalekites invaded and have taken their women and children away as captives. Despite all his hardships, David had a good response to the trials God ordained for him. He encouraged himself in the Lord (1 Sam. 30:6).

You can be like David. You can say to yourself “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again my Savior and my God” (Ps. 43:5 NLT)!

Even if you yourself are discouraged, you can still encourage others anyway! Remember the Bible tells us, “He who waters, he himself will be watered.”

Lastly, hear what God has to say. 

God is an encourager too and He is always on time to meet us in the hour of our need. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 NIV)


Sources:
Ortberg, John. “The Life You’ve Always Wanted.” New King James Version, Olive Tree Mobile application. Accessed October 2017.

“What should we learn from the account of Paul and Barnabas?” GotQuestions.org, www.gotquestions.org/Paul-and-Barnabas.html. Accessed October 2017.

Zornes, Jeanne. “The Power of Encouragement.” The Life, thelife.com/the-power-of-encouragement. Accessed October 2017.

Suotmaa, Jessica. “What Does “jiāyóu” 加油 Mean in English? [Learn Chinese].” China Internship Placements. blog.chinainternshipplacements.com/what-does-ji%C4%81y%C3%B3u-%E5%8A%A0%E6%B2%B9-mean-in-english-learn-chinese. Accessed November 2017.