The Need for Encouragement!

Has anyone ever spoken to you with words that influenced you to greater contentment and purpose? They may not have been spoken loudly or eloquently but the words were exactly what you needed, and they were more than advice, they were life giving! These words could have been spoken by a trusted friend or counselor, by a sister or brother, and those words altered your perspective and enabled you live in a way of greater integrity.

Within the first two verses of Acts chapter 20 Luke tells of the Apostle Paul encouraging the Ephesian disciples. Paul then plans on returning to the churches he planted to encourage them as well. This was after a riot where Paul was almost killed! What’s also interesting about Paul’s itinerary is that he doubled his travel time to Jerusalem (his primary destination) to revisit Troas, Philippi, Berea and Corinth all for one purpose – ENCOURAGEMENT![1]

Paul knew the value of encouragement. He made it a priority. He understood the multitude of verses in Proverbs which tell of the life-changing power of our spoken words. Take note of some of them; “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” [2] “Good words can make an anxious heart glad.” [3] “A soothing tongue is a tree of life.” [4] He also knew words can be a dis-couragement. “Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day.” [5] Encouragement was a priority for Paul.

Paul’s priority was based on encouragement’s power. We can confuse a mere compliment with encouragement. Someone may compliment the therapy session I provide. Although that might make me feel good about myself those words are usually not life changing. Encouragement goes deeper. Encouragement has the power to cause us to walk in an emotionally healthy direction that enables us to walk in wholeness. Dr. Larry Crabb states that encouragement is “carefully selected words that influence a person toward increased godliness.”[6] Notice that encouraging words are “carefully selected.” These are words that are chosen because they fit the person and fit the circumstance. Notice also that they are crafted to “influence a person.” They are chosen to move a person in a certain direction not merely make them feel good. And notice that they are used to “increased godliness.” These words prod a person toward a closer and deeper walk of integrity with people and God.

For encouragement to have its deepest work it must break through our fears. Dr. Larry Crabb tells of an occurrence in high school. He was having a difficult time during his freshman year due to stuttering. Very discouraged after a very embarrassing incident at an assembly of hundreds of fellow classmates he decided that public speaking was not for him. A short while after that incident and during a church service he made a second attempt and failed miserably. He rushed out deciding never to speak in public again. As he left an older man intercepted him. Expecting correction, Larry was surprised to the point of tears when he heard words that are forever etched in his memory. That gentleman said, “There’s one thing I want you to know, Larry. Whatever you do for the Lord I am behind one thousand percent.” [7] That man’s words were an example of what Paul speaks about in Ephesians 4:29. Words that are “good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” His words were simple, timely, appropriate and powerful. They had the power to dissolve his fears. Dr. Crabb reported that those words, and others like them, helped him become the speaker, writer and counselor he was for so many years.

When was the last time you encouraged a friend or loved one? When was the last time you were encouraged by another? We need to catch the vision! There are many walking wounded that you know who you can impact by giving them encouragement. Take the risk. ENCOURAGE!

[1] Acts 20:1-3

[2] Proverbs 18:21

[3] Proverbs 12:25

[4] Proverbs 15:4

[5] Proverbs 25:20

[6] Encouragement: The Key to Caring, p. 20

[7] Ibid, p. 25.

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