Encouragement In Times of Discouragement

As you read this, chances are you or someone you love needs encouragement. Encouragement is not just a flourish of words to make someone feel better, but a Biblical injunction to all who claim the Name of Christ.

The Scripture says in Ephesians 4:29,
 

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths,  but only such as is good for building up,  as fits the occasion,  that it may give grace to those who hear.

This passage teaches us that our words are very important and that we must be sensitive to the situation our brothers and sisters are in.  As we live out our busy days, many times we do not use words to build up and give grace to those who hear.  Parents know the importance of encourageing their children in many differing situations.  It is not "one phrase fits all"; we must evaluate our words and what the child is going through.  Insincere encouragement like insincere flattery is usually seen for what it really is.  Encouragement should not tell us that we have "arrived" or that we are as good as everyone else in our  
                          endeavors.

An explanation of this concept is the false encouragement organized athletics gives to our children in the USA.  Every child must receive the same award or trophy, no outstanding individuals are singled out for fear that the others will be discouraged.  The problems with this system are too extensive to deal with in this post, suffice it to say that we are doing our children more harm than good by not telling the truth in love. 

Our goal should not be to make someone feel that through their own effort they are self-suffienct, but that they can walk in the confidence that the Lord is doing a work in their lives. They can place the results in the hands of our Holy and Sovereign God.


Researchers have said that we speak on average about 25,000 words a day.  Are we careful about how we speak?  Do we choose our words wisely?

Another part of encouragement is Exhortation. Hebrews 3:12-13,

Take care,  brothers,  lest there be in any of you an evil,  unbelieving heart,  leading you to fall away from the living God.  But exhort one another every day,  as long as it is called  "today,"  that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Sometimes we must encourage through exhortation in a loving and gentle manner.  As mentors we sometimes must do this type of encouragement.  It is not always easy, but many times it is necessary.  In history we can read the disastrous consequences wreaked on people by Kings, Presidents, and dare I say, Pastors that have chosen to surround themselves with counselors that "encourage" by saying what the leader wants to hear.

C.J. Mahaney in his book Humility: True Greatness says, " We're all in need of grace. There's no one you know who doesn't need more of it.  And God has so composed His church that when we're together in a larger corporate gathering or in a small group or even in casual conversation, we can both receive grace and communicate grace through the exchange of edifying and appropriate words." p118.

Our prayer for you is that you would receive the encouragement you need in your journey and that you would in turn be an encourager to others.

Grace,
Mike & Annette