Solitude Baptist Church, Albertville
One thing that is vital to helping anyone truly know God is godly encouragement. In 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Paul instructs his readers, “Therefore, encourage one another and build up one another just as you are doing.” Paul knew the value of, and understood the need for, encouragement.
Encouragement means “to help put strength into,” and we have the opportunity to do just that with the words we share with others. Paul instructed the church at Thessalonica to encourage one another by being ready, being different and being confident.
We are to be ready for the Day of the Lord. Accepting Christ as our Savior and receiving His forgiveness can assure us we are ready for that day. I encourage you not only to be ready for the Day of the Lord, but ready to offer a word of encouragement to others. Take advantage of the opportunities to add strength to the weary.
We also are instructed to be different. “We are not of the darkness, but of the light.” This light of hope sets us apart and we should encourage others to live in that light. We should live differently because of who we are — children of God. Show you are a child of God by offering encouragement to others on a daily basis. Others need it more than you realize, and you may prove to be the only light in their day.
Paul also encouraged them to be confident. As children of God we are possessed with great confidence because our sins have been forgiven and we’ve been given the gift of eternal life. When you encounter people dealing with uncertainties, encourage them to be confident in the goodness of God.
My life experience has taught me that the more I offer encouragement to others — the more I speak to them about being ready, being different and being confident — the more encouraged I am. If you are in need of some encouragement in your life, let me offer this piece of advice: be encouraged by offering encouragement to others. It will change your day for the better and it just may change someone else’s life for eternity.
Share with others: