The value of encouragement in our lives can’t be overstated. In third grade, I had one of the most significant teachers in my life. She was an excellent teacher, but she was also a fantastic encourager. That year was pivotal for me, and her encouragement significantly impacted my life.
I believe we all want to be around encouraging people because they change the atmosphere around them. They see the positive in those around them and encourage people to rise to new levels they never thought possible. Who was an encourager in your life that made a difference? How could you be an encourager to someone in your life? I believe the Lord desires all of us to encourage each other. 1 Thessalonians 5:11So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. [1]
The Prophets Encouraged the People
Rebuilding the Temple was difficult and required many people to work together. Besides the hard work, they faced spiritual opposition from the non-Jews living in the area. The Lord knew how the enemy would use discouragement to delay the temple construction, so He had a plan to encourage them.
We read in Ezra 5:1 the significance the prophets played. And the prophets of God were with them and helped them. [2] The prophets encouraged them through the word of God and by helping with the project. Instead of elevating themselves, they joined in the work. It had to be encouraging to see the prophets assisting the people. They would have been building relationships and being a good influence as they did. Sometimes it is not what we say that is important but what we do, and this is what the prophets did as they helped.
You Can Encourage Others
Have you ever had a word of encouragement that changed your entire day? Or someone who encouraged you that changed your whole direction in life? Words are powerful, which is why the Lord calls us to speak encouraging words over people. In Romans 12:7, Paul tells us that encouraging others is a gift.
Encouraging can take many forms, such as listening, comforting, consoling, and affirming. You may not think you have the gift of encouragement, but I believe we all can encourage each other more than we realize. Encouraging others is like a muscle; the more we use it, the stronger it becomes. Every time we relate to other people, we have an opportunity to encourage them spiritually.
Without encouragement, life can become depressing and overwhelming. When we begin to encourage each other, what was difficult and overwhelming is now manageable. Words of encouragement can help us put things in perspective and see things through a different lens. Who is the Lord putting on your heart to encourage so they can see life through a different lens?
To learn about the value of encouragement, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/journey-return
[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (1 Th 5:11). Tyndale House Publishers.
[2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Ezr 5:2). Tyndale House Publishers.