Why We All Need Encouragement
If we’re honest, I think we would all agree there are some things we don’t truly need, such as online streaming, Amazon Prime, Starbucks, and yes, even cell phones. While these are things we enjoy, making life more convenient, the truth is we don’t actually need any of them. Yet, we all do, in fact, need encouragement, and here’s why…
You see, encouragement is critical for our well-being, impacting every aspect of our lives. It helps us face challenges, persevere through adversity, and move forward following seasons of loneliness, grief, and depression. Additionally, encouragement motivates us to go further, do better, reach higher, and believe the best about ourselves and others. And most significantly, encouragement empowers us to witness the Gospel and live on mission with God in this world.
Encouragement in Scripture
It should come as no surprise that encouragement is a major biblical theme with many verses (126 to be exact) emphasizing its importance. Through Scripture, we are exhorted to live courageously and to encourage others, and there's good reason for this. You see, the opposite of courage and encouragement is fear and discouragement, neither of which is in any way helpful in fulfilling our purpose and calling as Christ followers.
At the same time, we all face discouragement, and there’s no shame in this as it’s a part of our humanity and a result of life in this world. Still, as followers of Jesus, we are empowered by His Spirit to walk faithfully through times of discouragement with confidence, trust, faith and hope.
Sources of Encouragement
When, not if, we feel discouraged, it’s critical to respond to it promptly. Why? Because allowing it to linger, avoiding, denying or suppressing it, is counterproductive to restoring courage to our souls. Thankfully, God has graciously provided us with trustworthy sources to help with this.
Beginning with…
His Word - God’s Word is a continual source of encouragement, teaching, correcting, guiding and reassuring us of His faithful promises and presence with us in our struggles and challenges.
Next…
His Spirit - The Holy Spirit encourages us by reminding us of God’s Truth, comforting us in our sorrows, interceding for us, equipping us in our calling, and empowering us to stand strong and persevere through trials.
Also…
His People - Godly community is a powerful source of encouragement, fostering fellowship, support, care, comfort, accountability, and a sense of belonging.
And most notably…
His Presence - Through prayer, God encourages us with His very presence. It is through prayer we experience His nearness, find comfort, receive guidance, express feelings, confess sin, and recognize Him as Emmanuel, God with us.
Mutual Encouragement
Encouragement is a shared ministry that every believer is to be actively engaged in. At various seasons we will both need encouragement and be called to encourage others. This ongoing cycle of mutual encouragement will continue throughout our life journey. Once again this is because we all need encouragement.
Yet, not just sometimes, sporadically or occasionally, rather, we are called to encourage one another on a daily basis (Hebrews 3:13), and to continually build each other up (1 Thessalonians 5:11). And by committing to this ministry–the ministry of encouragement that is, we benefit personally, bless others, witness to unbelievers, and best of all, bring glory to God.
So perhaps today take some time to consider the ways in which you are giving and receiving encouragement. And as you do, recognize it is a vital need everyone has, and a lifetime ministry we are all called to.
Pray
Father God, I am so grateful for the encouragement I receive from Your Word, Your Spirit, Your presence, and Your people. Help me to live courageously and to encourage others. You are an awesome God, and I offer You the highest praise. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.
Reflect
Share a time when you were encouraged or were able to encourage someone else. What was the result? How did it make you feel?
Encourage others with your response to this week’s question HERE or in the Comments section below.