Need For Encouragement

AT THE SIGHT OF THESE MEN PAUL THANKED GOD AND WAS ENCOURAGED. ACTS 28.15

One of the greatest needs in our modern world of complexity and perplexity is encouragement. If you are like me or the people I know of, then you too need it. Even Christians, the children of God, need encouragement. As long as we live in this fallen world, we have to go through all its trials and woes. To us, it a great comfort that we have our God on our side as our helper. The Lord Jesus Christ is our constant friend and companion. We have His promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb 13.5). The Holy Spirit is our comforter and encourager (Jn 16.7).

But often we feel the need for a human being to be at our side to give us support, encouragement and comfort. Often we need good and wise counsel too. God knew this need of human beings even before man ever felt it. That is why in the Garden of Eden, the Lord declared that, ‘It is not good for man to be alone. Therefore I will make him a helper, companion or encourager’ (Gen 2.18).

The Church, the body of the Lord Jesus Christ is a fellowship of believers in Him. The way the Lord expects His church to function properly is mentioned clearly for us. "Christ gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" (Eph 4.11-13). We are to minister to "one another" by the various gifts the Holy Spirit has bestowed on us. In many places in the Bible we are exhorted to “encourage one another”. The expression "one another" appears more than 80 times in the epistles! 'Encourage, stir up, spur, exhort, teach, share, bear, forgive, comfort, be hospitable to "one another" ' are but a few of these!

In my book on ‘Discipleship’, I have devoted a full chapter on this subject as I consider it important in the lives of believers. Below is an excerpt: “Mutual encouragement is most essential for our well being, even survival. We need encouragement and we owe it to one another. How often we get discouraged and how soon we are ready to give up when we are faced with difficulties in life. The path of discipleship of Christ is never easy. It is a hard uphill task and a long haul of a lifetime”.

I have always found that when I pray for believers in trouble with laying of hands, reassuring them of God’s love, they feel greatly relieved, comforted and encouraged. The other day, my wife and I visited a dear old Christian widow admitted to the hospital with heart trouble. We sat beside her and comforted and encouraged her. The mere sight of us pepped her spirit up and she appeared revived! Before we left, we committed her to the Lord and His mercy for healing, anointing her with oil. Who cannot do such simple things? You can do it! It will be a great ministry to God and His people!

Pray and practise with me: Dear Lord, help me to open my eyes and see those who need help and encouragement. Help me to be an encourager to my fellow believers and even to others. Amen.