Dec 26, 2019
Young Adult
By Sarina Gumness
When it comes to the new year, we often set new goals for ourselves. But the issue with these new goals is that we find it hard to keep them. I know I do. About a month later I’ll be like, “What was my goal?” In this season of goal-making, we need encouragement. We must learn to encourage ourselves and encourage those around us—because we are all in this together.
Christian encouragement is a command, but just like evangelism we sometimes find it awkward to employ in our everyday lives. In order for us to get past this awkwardness, we need to practice, just like any other skill.
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
—Thessalonians 5:11
When it comes to encouraging, we often may jumble our words and not get the message out that we are intending to. In this situation, sometimes the fewer words the better. We don’t need our words to encourage, we need God’s Word. We can use Scriptures as our starting point when encouraging others. We can share with others where we can see the Spirit working in and through them. We can point out the “Fruits of the Spirit” growing in them as well as affirming them in their spiritual gifts. Sending someone daily or weekly Scripture randomly during the day can be an easy but sweet way of encouragement as well.
Our encouragement is most meaningful when we show specific interest in the person that we are encouraging. We should be showing knowledge of what is going on in the lives of those that we are encouraging. Based on what you observe, offer concrete examples of how you have seen this person live out their faith. It can be encouraging to hear, “I saw God’s grace at work when you did this or said that.” Showing a genuine interest in them can provide encouragement.
Finally, we should be selfless in our acts when encouraging. Sometimes we hold back from encouraging others because we do not want to feed pride. But Christian encouragement and flattery sit at opposite ends of the spectrum. Don’t let the fear of being seen as a flatterer cause you to curtail your genuine words of encouragement. Don’t let your own insecurities inhibit your praise of others. The one who encourages practices selflessness, taking the words of Proverbs 12:18 to heart: “There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
A little encouragement in our lives can go along way. We should bring encouragement into our daily lives and make it a goal for more Christian encouragement in the new year.
