Encouragement

When was the last time you offered someone encouragement?

We do it a lot; a “good job!” to our kids, note of thanks for an act of kindness, the sermon cheerleaders whose ministry is to nod their heads mid-preaching God bless them!), an offering of advice to a graduating class.

We encourage folks we see and engage with, in ways that are meaningful, in ways that are momentous, in ways that are fleeting. The size of the encouragement is not as important as the act of encouraging.

I can think of some of the encouragements I’ve received in the past few weeks… a card and treat from friends following a fun discussion (that made me laugh out loud); a thumbs up after I challenged myself slightly beyond my comfort zone; a compliment on a sermon.

Encouragement feels good to receive, it also feels good to extend. It demonstrates community, connection, and acknowledgement of gifts.

And we are encouraged in the scriptures to do this. Consider Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians (an epistle intended to convey a message of hope); 5.11: “Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.”

The context of Paul’s message here is affirmingly positive, and it invites a bit more nuance when taken in context. For Paul is inviting the Thessalonians to build one another up in faith; as individuals, but also the building up and strengthening of the community of the faithful. They have been called to prayer, to worship, to share and grow in the promise of salvation.

Paul’s encouragement addresses that by strengthening the community’s faith, it provides additional support during trials and tribulations, which Paul knows to be inevitable. It grants individuals the security to know that they will be upheld when they stumble, just as they will provide assistance when another member falters. It means leaning on one another with trust and confidence, so that all may obtain the richness of the promise.

It's encouraging, then, the realise the gift we all have to continue this pattern and practice of encouragement. To pray for others and know that we are prayed for; to support one another as we are supported, to share in the mutuality of encouragement in the faith.

And, to be humble to identify when we have not been as encouraging as we might want to be – and to find ways to change that.

So again I ponder: when was the last time you offered someone encouragement? Praise God we can do it right now.