BE AN ENCOURAGER

Heb. 10:24 Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds.

When was the last time you gave any thought at all to ways you can encourage others? Chances are this is not one of the things on your list of priorities to do. If we do encourage someone, it’s more of an accident than an intentional behavior. Let us take a few moments and think about this today.

First of all, who do you know that could use some encouragement today? Everyone needs it at various stages of life, so it shouldn’t be hard to come up with someone. Give a name to someone you know who could use some encouragement. Now, ask the Lord to give some ideas on how to best encourage them.

Perhaps you’re someone is going through some physical issue that is causing much anxiety for them. Perhaps there is anxiety over financial issues. Perhaps there are marital issues going on. Maybe there are relationship issues that need resolved. Maybe there is frustration and discouragement over a lack of success with goals being pursued in life. Perhaps your someone is being criticized and not being treated well by others. Whatever the issue, think about ways that you might be able to do good and lighten the load on their shoulders.

Sometimes just being a compassionate friend is enough. Sometimes words spoken help. Sometimes something we personally do is what is needed. Everyone needs to know that someone cares and is there to support them in their journey of life. You cannot truly say you love someone until you are willing to act it out.

Notice that we are to be encouragers to outbursts of love and good deeds. Outbursts are spontaneous reactions. When we are motivated lovers of Christ it generates outbursts of love and good deeds. When we purposely set out to encourage others, we will always find ways to do it. It should come naturally for us. We cannot truly love Christ and it not show in how we relate to one another.

The good news is that when you are an encourager, you will be encouraged by the love of others in your times of need for encouragement. Godly love is characterized by being encouragers. It is simply getting involved in each other’s lives and ministering to needs where needed. Don’t just talk love talk; live it out for the glory of Christ.