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“Encourage” is a big buzz word in the Christian community. We love using it, and for good reason—it’s biblical.
“That message was so encouraging…
I just wanted to encourage her…
Maybe this Scripture could be of encouragement…”
I have to admit though, the word is so often used that I had come to view it as cheesy rather than inspiring.
With the National Day of Encouragement happening September 12th, the word has been on my mind all the more. I dove into the Bible to see where it comes from, and saw that the word encourage is mentioned over 30 times in the New Testament alone.
And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 1 Thessalonians 5:14
With each verse my cynical attitude faded fast!
Despite its prevalence in our speech, the word “encourage” is powerful. It’s one cliché of Christian culture that should keep going…and it not only needs to be said, but done.
Why is encouragement so key in our faith? Why does Scripture command us to give and receive encouragement?
For the Christian, encouragement is more than acts of kindness, it’s an everyday opportunity to highlight the hope we have in Christ.
Encouragement is the everyday opportunity to highlight for others the hope we have in Christ. Share on XLet us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:23-24
There’s a vital connection between holding fast to the Gospel and fellowship within the church, and the glue is encouragement.
We live in broken world subject to every sorrow imaginable. Knowing this, God urges us in His Word to be active in encouraging one another about the eternal joy to come.
When done in faith, encouraging words not only build others up, but point them to the future of heaven, to the sufficiency of our Savior.
And let me be real sister—godly encouragement is not simply saying sweet words to make someone feel good about themselves.
Biblical encouragement is urging one another in the truth, and reminding one another of the infinite goodness of the Gospel. Encouragement is pointing one another to God’s Word, and praising others in light of their service unto Him.
When we encourage about the hope of heaven, we not only brighten a fellow believers’ day, but we say Christ is enough. Christ is coming. Christ’s love never ends.
How does it do this? Here are a few examples:
Encouragement has the power to deter others from sin.
But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Hebrews 3:13 (NASB)
Encouragement can lead to worship.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16
Encouragement can bring about unity and greater understanding of God.
For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ… Colossians 2:1-2
We can encourage in little and large ways, but in the end our encouragement must stem from a belief that the best is ahead, and the power of Christ reigns now.
When we encourage another sister in Christ, we are discipling as God called us to do. We are adhering to multiple commands of His Scripture, and in doing so demonstrating our love for Him and His church.
Whether we send a card to a friend in a struggle, exhort our husband in leading our home, show our neighbor uncommon generosity, we shine the light of Jesus through encouragement.
Are you ready to go out and encourage?
Take DaySpring’s Encouragement Dare to celebrate the National Day of Encouragement—and more importantly—share the very love of Christ!
When signing up for their challenge, you also receive an “encouragement kit” with printable faith-filled cards and ideas to uplift those around you.
I’m taking the dare, and can’t wait to see how God works through it to bring hope and joy!
Great post on encouragement! I could use some help in this category of my spiritual walk for sure. Thanks for sharing!
I have to grow in this area too! It’s such a blessed part of our walk, so we have to step out in love 🙂
I know this sounds silly, but what an encouraging post. Really. I don’t ever want to shy away from encouraging others in Christ. The verses you listed are beautiful reminders.
Hahah Angela! It’s funny how the word is “overused” and yet it can’t be used enough! Praise the Lord this encouraged you to encourage others 🙂 Thank you for reading!
Thank you for the reminder why we need to be doing this!
Yes, I need this reminder all the time. Thanks for visiting, Julie! 🙂
Thank you for this post 🙂 God Bless~
You’re welcome, Hannah! God’s Word is so great, isn’t it? Blessings!
I love how you pulled all these different verses on encouragement. You are right, our culture has kind of warped our understanding of it, but it’s so important!
Yep, we can’t become jaded about the word when Scripture emphasizes it so much! Thanks for reading, Kira. 🙂
HI Dani, Encouragement has the power to deter others from sin. I love that!
well you are encouragement to me sis. and keep encouraging others, just as you are doing 🙂
That verse really stood out to me too! And aw, thanks for the encouragement to keep encouraging. Same to you, Sue!
Great post! Encouragement is one of my top spiritual gifts, so it’s good to see examples of what that looks like in scripture and applied to day to day life. Thanks for sharing this! Very insightful. ????
You’re welcome, Brooke! It is so neat that encouragement is mentioned as a spiritual gift in the Word, and it’s good to be mindful of how we can exercise it. Thank you for visiting!
This was great, Dani!
I also get a bit tired of hearing the term encouragement thrown around, because usually it does mean “something that makes you feel good” and excludes anything challenging. But true encouragement is, just as you said, something that uplifts and reminds us of the eternal life we have in Christ. You said this all so well!
Thank you Bethany! And exactly – that’s what I was getting at. Encouragement can be so much deeper than we make it to be!
Love the encouragement dare! I had no idea that was a thing 🙂 this is a lovely post and in today’s world, it’s so needed. Thank you!
Yeah Kristina! It’s an excellent opportunity to be intentional about encouraging. Thank you for reading!
Thank you Dani! I loved what you said, “There’s a vital connection between holding fast to the Gospel and fellowship within the church, and the glue is encouragement.” The words that jumped off the page to me! Sweet reminders when encouragement can seem watered down. Bless you sweet sister!
Yes! One major aim of meeting with brothers and sisters in Christ has to be encouragement. Thank you for stopping by Sonya! 🙂
I loved the encouragement dare, and plan to continue sending cards and compliments.
Yeah – it was such a cool way to set your mind on serving others. Encouragement is on my “radar” now much more. Thank you for visiting Dianna, loved your article too.