What An Encouragement

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
— 1 Thess. 5:11 —
 
In 2023, Phillies shortstop Trea Turner endured the worst slump of his career. After signing a massive multi-year contract, fans grew increasingly frustrated with his poor performance. As most sports fans know, Philadelphia is not the city where you want to fall out of favor! After weeks of boos and criticism, a local fan urged others to stop booing and start cheering instead. A local radio station amplified the idea, and on August 4, 2023, Turner stepped to the plate not before a ruthless home crowd, but to a standing ovation. Even the suffocating boos were replaced by stadium-wide chants of “Let’s go, Trea!” The effect of this sudden encouragement was immediate and obvious: his batting average rose, his home run rate nearly doubled, and he helped propel the team into a playoff run in which he continued to perform well.

For Christians, the art and power of encouragement is nothing new. We are a people of encouragement because our God is the God of encouragement (Rom. 15:5). Even a brief look at Christ’s interactions with His disciples shows how deeply encouraging He was. He patiently strengthened them again and again, even when they were slow to understand (Luke 17:6; 24:25–27; John 16:33). When Peter confessed that Jesus was the Christ, Jesus encouraged him: “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah!” (Matt. 16:17a). When Martha grieved the death of her brother Lazarus, He comforted her by reminding her that He is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25–26). As He taught the crowds, He kindly encouraged their faith by pointing them to the Father’s care: “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” (Matt. 6:30). He commended the faith of the centurion (Matt. 8:10–13) and the Syrophoenician woman (Matt. 15:28). He encouraged and welcomed even the little children to come to Him as He commended them (Matt. 19:14; Mark 10:13-16)! The Good Shepherd continually exhorted, comforted, and built up His disciples and those He served. His words were always gracious and true, strengthening those who heard Him (Eph. 4:29). We, too, are called to imitate Him with our words (1 Thess. 5:11; Eph. 5:1–2).

We are sinners saved by grace, but we are not yet perfected. We still battle sin, suffer in a fallen world, and often feel discouraged under the weight of life. Each day brings its own troubles (Matt. 6:34), yet God’s mercies are new every morning (Lam. 3:21–24). One way God extends those daily mercies is through the gift of life in the body of believers we know as the local church (Rom. 12:5). As we live together in the body of Christ—speaking the truth in love, comforting one another, building one another up, and urging each other to take heart—we help one another grow into Christ (Eph. 4:15–16; John 16:33). So how can we encourage one another in practical ways? How can we affirm the work of Christ in others so they can be encouraged? Here are a few examples I hope will be helpful.

When you listen to a sermon on Sunday, do more than listen passively. Write down one to three meaningful statements that stand out, and after the sermon, share them with someone who would be encouraged by them. As you listen, ask whether the Spirit brings someone else to mind who might benefit from the message. Send them the biblical text, your key takeaways, or even the sermon recording if it is available. You might also encourage the pastor by telling him what you learned and how the sermon helped you. That kind of feedback can be deeply encouraging. Likewise, when your children tell you what they learned in Sunday School or how much they enjoyed their teacher, pass that along. Thank the teacher for serving faithfully and let them know how the lesson affected your child.

Recently, my mentor was visibly encouraged when he showed me the sermon note sheet an eight-year-old boy had given him after a sermon on Jonah. We often underestimate young children, assuming they are not listening or cannot grasp sermons aimed at those more mature in the faith. Yet this boy had been listening carefully, actively engaged with the preaching, and had drawn a silly picture of Jonah being swallowed by the whale. When he handed the notes to my mentor, he said he could not wait until next week to hear more. What a wonderful encouragement!

Consider also your life together as members of the body. When someone shares an encouraging thought in a small group, women’s ministry, or even over coffee, tell them how insightful or helpful it was. If their words come back to mind later and strengthen you again, send them a message. Let them know you were thinking about what they said and how the Lord used it to help you.

When someone asks for prayer, and you are praying for them, send a note to let them know. Better yet, share the specific verse you prayed for them. Ask how they are doing and how you can continue lifting them up before the Lord.

When you see someone serving in the church—whether in children’s ministry, on the welcome team, or flipping burgers at the church picnic—thank them. Their service reflects Christ’s service to us (Mark 10:45). A simple thank-you does not have to be profound to make a profound impact.

These are only a few of the countless ways we can encourage one another, but each requires intentionality and attentiveness. To offer real encouragement, we must pay attention. We must listen, watch carefully, and actively look for opportunities. Think of the ways others have encouraged you, and seek to do the same for others. Pray that the Lord would open your eyes to see these moments (Prov. 20:12). Pray that He would give you fitting words when the opportunity comes (Luke 12:12; Isa. 50:4). And trust that even when your efforts seem small or ineffective, your labor in Christ is not in vain (1 Cor. 15:58). Be encouraged: even in your weak attempts to live like Christ, God is well pleased.

As you seek to become a more Christlike encourager, my prayer for you is Paul’s blessing in Romans 15:5–6: “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”