February 9th, 2021 – Tuesday Afternoon
“Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.” ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:11
“We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” ~1 Thessalonians 5:14
“But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” ~Hebrews 3:13
I have been challenged (and I believe it is from the Lord) about my lack of an encouraging approach. I am not necessarily saying that anything I have written or preached hasn’t been encouraging or good (although I have not always been in tune with the Lord); rather, have I been encouraging in how I have written or preached or in my interpersonal communication?
“Encourage” contains multiple facets: On the one hand it carries an element of exhortation or admonishment; on another the idea of comforting or consoling; still another aspect of “encourage” is the side of beseeching, begging, or entreating. Yet, woven through it all is the goal of building up other believers for their welfare and walk and, ultimately, the glory of God.
Going to my original thoughts, am I an encourager who gently and firmly and patiently and cautiously and directly and truthfully and delicately seeks the building up of those around me? Is my tone and body language conveying my heart of compassion and grace? Are others (even if in correction) going away blessed and built up or are they dejected and deflated, not because of the truth but because of the messenger? Do I wear the humble and loving attitude of Christ (as His ambassador and a channel of His Spirit) in every sphere in which He places me?
Praise the Lord that He has chosen us for such a privileged life and purpose! Let us allow Him to speak and carefully reevaluate how we are fairing in the encouragement department. These are desperate times that call for desperate measures – we need Him and His grace all the time and we need to be about His business of encouraging each other and helping each other to see and know Him more.