The Gift of Encouragement
Page Two
Encouragement enables us to move ahead. The Lord told Moses to “command Joshua, and encourage Joshua and strengthen him; for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which you will see” (Deuteronomy 3:28 NKJ). There were many things Moses could have done. But God knew what Joshua needed most—encouragement. And this is true of you and me and the people around us. We all need encouragement.
I remember the day I was talking to a lady who had been criticizing her pastor. I then asked her if she had been encouraging him. “Him?” she exclaimed. “He doesn’t need encouragement. He’s in the limelight all the time telling people what to do!”
“Well,” I said, “that’s probably just the kind of person who needs it.”
Children who are encouraged daily achieve far more than those who hear constant criticism from parents and teachers. There is no limit to what children or employees will attempt to do when they receive consistent encouragement.
Encouragement banishes fear and promotes courageous behavior. Most people can do much more than they are now if they are only encouraged. A daughter-in-law, a cousin, or a person next door can actually do great exploits if he or she is encouraged. And you are the person who can make it all happen if you will just say the words!
“And Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David at Horesh, and encouraged him in God. Thus, he said to him, “Do not be afraid, because the hand of Saul my father shall not find you, and you will be king over Israel and I will be next to you; and Saul my father knows that also” (I Samuel 23:16-17).
What a blessing Jonathan was to his friend, David. And you can do the same for those you know.
When we encourage others, we become an example of God with “skin on.” Our Heavenly Father uses you and me to encourage one another—encouragement comes to us through Scripture reading, quiet times and prayer. But human encouragement is yet another way God uses to bless and minister to His people. God puts His people in strategic places to encourage others with just the right words at just the right time.
Encouragement helps establish our vocational identity. In the book of 2 Chronicles, we read about Josiah setting the priests in their offices. But he didn’t just put them in office. He “encouraged them in the service of the house of the Lord” (2 Chronicles 35:2). Each of us needs to know that our work is important and we need to be encouraged. How different from those who never quite seem to know where they belong or that their daily activities really matter.
 When a person feels encouraged
and on top of things, he usually
has better judgment.
What about you? Did you receive much encouragement while growing up? Even if you didn’t, you can break that cycle. Do you know a child who desperately needs feedback and support? Then reach out to him, and in some way encourage him. People often go the wrong direction because they are not encouraged. Being fearful, they often do the thing that’s easiest or the most popular. But when a person is encouraged, he is more willing to make tough choices and become a winner. He can also commit his life to serving God and others. But without a vision of his possibilities, he won’t (Acts 11:23).
Encouragement leads to good choices. People tend to make decisions based upon how they feel, rather than what they know. Therefore, if a person feels discouraged, he is likely to give up and do little, or make poor choices. But when a person feels encouraged and on top of things, he usually has better judgment. He moves ahead based on the facts and on his true God-given gifts rather than on negative or confused feelings.
Encouraging words help us get along with one another. Notice this portion of Scripture: “Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus” (Romans 15:5).
Encouragement helps to create a positive atmosphere in which people can live and work in harmony. If, for example, you visited for a week in 10 different families, you would find that family members who were getting along the best would be those where encouragement was the order of the day.
Encouragement keeps us from destructive choices. It puts a priority on worthwhile projects rather than on useless or sinful acts. Take Jack, for example. He was a teenager who floated around town accomplishing almost nothing. Before long he was involved with three other guys who were up to no good. Anyone who observed him closely knew that he was at a crossroads in his life. Unless someone intervened, Jack could easily end up joining a gang or getting involved in criminal activities. But fortunately for Jack, his aunt came to live with the family for several months. She took a liking to the boy and encouraged him at every turn.
“Jack,” she said, “I believe you’d make a good doctor—maybe a surgeon. You’re intelligent, you’re not bad in science, and you have good coordination. Why don’t you set your goal to being the best surgeon in the state?”
Jack blinked a few times and said, “Oh yeah?”
But he kept thinking about what his aunt had said. With her daily encouragement, he was willing to go the following summer to a Christian camp where he received daily doses of encouragement. When he returned home, he seemed like a new person. He began school that fall with a new zeal and purpose. After finishing high school, Jack attended a Christian college, then went to medical school. His aunt’s encouragement directed him away from a life without purpose to one of happiness, fulfillment, and productivity. A good directive is found in the book of Hebrews: “But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called ‘today’ lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:13).
 Continued on Page Three
|
