How Do We Encourage?
“Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11
As I chose this scripture theme to share with you today, I remembered a road trip my family took many years ago. We traveled by car across the country to visit relatives along the way. When we reached California, our cousin joined us, and we drove to San Francisco. There, we sat at the top of a hill named Lombard Street, known at the time as the ‘crookedest street.’ We were in awe to be there. As we drove down the hill the first time, the amazement was overwhelming. For those who were afraid or nervous, they couldn’t wait to get to the bottom of the hill. The family had different views as we stood at the top of the hill, gazing. Some were afraid to walk down, others were excited to walk down, and I recall one person wanted to run down the hill. We had to encourage each other when we began the walk down the hill. There were some who ran downhill, others took a slow stroll, and others stopped to admire the views along the way. No matter how we chose to descend the hill, we encouraged each other to complete the task.
Throughout life, we will encounter curves and obstacles that can overwhelm us. As we encounter these obstacles, we have to learn to support one another. Encouragement can take many forms. In this scripture, it is a word in action. The Greek New Testament word for comfort literally means “to come alongside and provide assistance or support.”
Encourage means to inspire with courage, love, or hope. We must take responsibility for caring for one another. The people around us are gifts. Gifts of encouragement. Gifts to hold us accountable.
What are we encouraging each other in? The gospel truth. By encouraging each other in gospel truth, we are reminding one another that Jesus took our place. Encouragement grows us and those around us, and it challenges us to be faithful.
We all go through times when we’re discouraged and need encouragement. When we are going through a difficult time, we encourage one another. How often has this happened for you? When has someone come alongside and given you a word of encouragement to urge you on? This is important to build each other. Think of a building being built. Brick by brick, the building gets stronger; it’s being prepared for someone to come and live in it. We lay bricks in the lives of others by helping them grow spiritually, and we become stronger and stronger.
What's the opposite of building someone up? Our words can build up, or our words can tear down. Scripture tells us to build people up, and I love the line “as indeed you are doing.” We must keep doing it. And doing it, and doing it — don't stop. Keep strengthening one another, keep coming alongside one another and building each other up. Don't stop until Christ returns. We have to come alongside each other and build up with the Gospel truth. God goes with us wherever we go.
When we see a need in someone's life, let us not dismiss it and think someone else will do it. As a family of brothers and sisters in Christ, we continue infusing confidence and encouraging one another to continue living the life we have been called to.
Have you spoken words of encouragement to someone today?
Let us think of ways to encourage one another, to show acts of love, and to do good works.
I pray we encourage one another and support one another in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Blessings,
Rev. Natalie+
