My friend David and I were having a time of fellowship during our scheduled time to record two radio broadcasts. David has a short 6-7 minute program on WPAX that is called An Encouraging Word. I can identify with his desire to bring a daily reminder to his listeners to be encouraged, to stay encouraged, or to encourage someone else. Encouragement is the number one gift that God has given to me to be a blessing to those I come in contact with daily. Ann Nunnally’s ministry (our other newspaper columnist) is also called An Encouraging Word (EWAN) and all three of us have the same passion to help people become the best they can be. Everyone should be an encourager but for some of us, it is just the easy thing to do!

Part of the conversation David and I had recognized that “there is always something…” We are either in a trial, coming out of a trial, or going into a trial. Most of us do not lead such a charmed life to presume that our life will be without challenges that can happen to all of us. We may think or assume that other people are okay because they have a smile on their faces or their general appearance seems peaceful and positive. But on some level, all of us experience things that are not what we desired or were expecting. Being an encourager to individuals who are going through these challenges is important. 

In a different conversation with a small group of ladies, I was with this past week, every single one of them was going through something and several of them were having quite significant challenges. I had two scriptures that I have been meditating on for the last couple of weeks which I shared with them. The scriptures are familiar but how many of us have fully obeyed them? Do we believe it is even possible to obey them?

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down (or demolishing) strongholds (anything opposing God’s will), casting down arguments (things in our minds that are contrary to God and His will) and every high thing (pride) that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” I don’t know about you, but that is a challenge (and a commandment) I have yet to fully obey. I still allow thoughts (fiery darts from our enemy) to stay in my mind that then tend to grow and develop if I don’t deal with them immediately. I wrote my whole article two weeks ago (January 17 – Renewing the Mind) about this very topic so I won’t repeat myself other than to say I believe it is more critical now, in the times we are living in, to be even more aware what we are reading, listening to and then verbalizing to ourselves and others. We must come to discern the difference between what is true and what the facts are. There are many eternal truths declared in the Word of God and sometimes our circumstances (the facts) do not line up with these truths. Sometimes they appear to be the exact opposite of what we know is truth according to the Word of God. King David had some of those intense trials. The example that I love to share is when his men came back to Ziklag from their assignment with the Philistines only to realize that an enemy, the Amalekites, had raided their camp and not only stole everything they had but also took all their women and children captive. David’s men were ready to kill him. The scriptures then tell us that “David encouraged himself in the Lord”. When circumstances are seemingly hopeless and everyone turns against you, turn to the Lord for encouragement. David inquired of the Lord – what should I do, Lord? And the Lord told him “Pursue them and you will recover all.” (I Samuel 30) David’s relationship with the Lord was so solid that he did not blame God like his men did to him, but rather it caused him to look to the Lord for His guidance.

The dictionary definition of encouragement is “the action of giving someone support, confidence or hope; the act of trying to stimulate the development of an activity, state, of belief.” Encourage means imparting courage to someone. If you Google the word “encouragement” you will see many insights and recognize that anyone can be an encourager. This is true, not only as a believer but in almost all of life’s circumstances. It simply means you can be a tool to bring cheer, inspiration, reassurance, and support to another person or persons. Helping someone to recognize that what they are going through is not who they are could change the whole outcome for someone who is going through severe trials. 

Philippians 2:1-4 states “Therefore, if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind, let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests but also for the interests of others.”

One of my favorite verses is Hebrews 3:13. “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today’, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” It is easy to become critical or judgmental especially if we don’t know or understand all of the facts or circumstances around someone who is going through a trial or testing. Put yourself in their place so that the compassion of the Lord comes through despite their situation, which could have other dynamics at work than the ones you are aware of.                                                                                                                                                                                      We have to be careful with the motive of our heart because a wrong use of encouragement can be flattery which is motivated to further one’s interests in one form or another. Flattery is defined as “excessive and insincere praise”. I have been guilty of this a few times in the past and am grateful for the correction and conviction that comes from my loving heavenly Father and Holy Spirit. I do not need to overstate what I have to say to someone for personal gain, which could be as simple as trying to impress someone with how spiritual I am or some other ulterior motive. This is just a word of admonition for other encouragers!

Paul had many different companions during his time in ministry. One of those key men who traveled with him for a season was Barnabus. He was known as the Encourager or the “son of Encouragement”. What a gift from God to have a cheerleader like him to encourage Paul when was going through one of his many trials and persecutions! Oh that each one of us could be a Barnabus to someone else as well as have a Barnabus in our own life to bring needed encouragement.