Habits of Faith # 2 - Encouragement

Be Encouragers in a World of Discouragement

There are not many in this world who are at risk of drowning in an ocean of encouragement, of being swept away by a tsunami of cheer, of being pulled under by great waves of comfort. There are not many who receive so much encouragement that they never have reason to feel doubts, never have reason to grow weary, never have reason to be tempted toward despondency. There are certainly none at all who are at the least risk of too much truly biblical encouragement.

Yet there are many who suffer daily under the weight of discouragement. There are many whose circumstances are burdensome and who crave acts of kindness, many whose lives are difficult and who feel desperate for some balm for their weary souls, many who are burdened with grief and who long for a kind word to lift their drooping hands and strengthen their weakened knees. There are many who crave what is within the power of any of us to give.

--Tim Challies, “Drowning in an Ocean of Encouragement”, www.challies.com, May 15, 2021

 Many things in this life have the potential to drain us or discourage our lives; everything from the news to minor discouragements like car accidents or major discouragements like financial issues or family problems

 

A world destroyed by sin will always lean toward discouragement and every Christian needs continual encouragement as we live this christian life, but encouragement requires action; It’s not just having hope, encouragement is when you begin to share the hope with someone else – Garett King

 

Hebrews 10:24-25 (NKJV)

^10:24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, ²⁵ not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

The word encouragement means to come alongside, to strengthen or to add strength and courage. The idea is to add strength or courage to someone in areas where it is missing. The word consider is not a light word either; it means to concern ourselves or contemplate, to look intently.

 Ask yourself, “what can I do to add strength to my brother and sister? How can I encourage them to stay the course and continue to follow the Lord?”

 This idea of encouragement is found all throughout the scripture. We are urged in the scripture to encourage one another and to build each other up in the faith. This is why church and fellowship is so important; one of the main purposes of gathering together is to encourage one another.

 We Need Encouragement in All areas of Life

Encouragement In seasons of Failure

 In Matthew 26, Peter had denied Jesus three times and immediately felt the weight of his failures. Ready to quit and go back to his former life of fishing, Jesus appears to him and the other disciples and He encourages him to move beyond his failures and to carry out what God has purposed him to do. Jesus reminds Peter that He has a purpose for Peter and that Peter will do many great things (John 21, Paraphrase)

 Ephesians 2:8-10 (NKJV)

^2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not of works, lest anyone should boast. ¹⁰ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Encouragement in Ministry and Leadership

We need encouragement when the task we’re doing is bigger than our natural ability.

 Joshua needed strength and courage to lead the people of Israel into the promised land because the task was greater than the strength that was within him

 Deuteronomy 3:28 (NKJV)

^3:28 But command Joshua, and encourage him and strengthen him; for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which you will see.'

God sees all that Joshua must do and recognizes his need for strength and encouragement.  He tells Moses to encourage him by reminding him of God’s promises.

 

There are times that we simply don’t have the strength top do what God has called us to and need encouragement. Paul and his companions were in such a situation. They had suffered through many troubles and were under great pressure, even to the point of fearing for their lives, but Paul learned to rely on God and place their confidence in Him and he was encouraged by the prayers of the saints

 1 Corinthians 1:8-11 (NKJV)

^1:8 who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. ¹⁰ Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. ¹¹ For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you.

 Being able to draw strength from God, even when there is no one else to strengthen you is especially important for leaders. One of the first lessons that leaders learn is that they have to learn how to strengthen themselves before they can strengthen others; you cannot give what you do not have.  ? Fortunately, God promises that he would give power to the faint and to those who have no might, he would give them strength

Isaiah 40:29 (NKJV)
^40:29 He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength.

Encouragement is a Gift You Can Always Afford to Give

Encouragement is a blessing that any of us can give at any time. For some people encouragement is natural, for others, it is a habit that must be cultivated. Life on this side of eternity is filled with many sorrows and losses, many sins and failures, trials and temptations. There is no end to reasons to grow weary, despondent and discouraged. Encouragement is a ministry that costs us little but benefits others much. It is a privilege to bring encouragement that gives strength to the weak.

We must always remember the disproportionate nature of encouragement and discouragement. There will always be more discouragement in life than encouragement and we need to make an effort to increase the encouragement to the people around us. It has been said that it takes 4 to 5 encouraging statements to overcome one negative statement. That means that if you make one discouraging statement, it will take at least 4 or 5 encouraging statements to get to zero or break even.

Remember, in our marriages and with our children it is important to encourage them and edify (build them up) them.  Don’t just remind your spouse when he/she does something wrong.  Don’t just discipline your kids when they’re bad; encourage them when they’re good.  It’s easy to be negative with your family. Contend for encouraging them as well.

One author said “our children especially need encouragement; their self-image is based in large measure by their perceptions of what we think of them.”

In a world full of discouragement, our duty as Christians is to encourage one another, not knock them down.  Remember, the gift of encouragement is a gift that every Christian can have, but you have to be intentional. It has to become a habit. You have to make the decision that you are going to stop discouraging and start encouraging.