His throat is dry. His eyes are stinging from a stray drop of perspiration. His muscles are burning. Doubt begins to creep into his thoughts. “I’m not sure I can do this today… I only got 3 hours of sleep last night. My opponent is 2m ahead… what if I’m overtaken and drop to 3rd position? Suddenly, his dream of winning the event at the Olympics is in the balance.
He tries to shake his thoughts and focus on the race. Slowly he becomes aware that someone is calling his name and shouting for him to run faster and harder. More voices join, telling him that he can do it! Spurred on by the encouragement, he pushes himself a little harder and the distance to the front runner is shortened. He gains more speed and then overtakes his opponent and surges through the winning ribbon.
What made the difference between doubt and success? Encouragement.
His coach and others, telling him that he could do it and encouraging him to try harder took the runner from doubting himself to taking action and then to achieving success. Others cheered him on, helping him to believe that he could do what he set out to do.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 tells us: Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
It is a biblical principle to encourage one another but we all need encouragement so who should start the process? Well, it starts with another biblical principle. The Bible tells us to guard our hearts and to take our thoughts captive.
Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
1 Corinthians 10:1) ….and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
We need to focus our own thoughts away from negative thinking. Philippians 4:8-9… tells us: Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Firstly, make sure that your own thoughts are positive and encouraging. Then, you can encourage others:
Romans 15:1-2 tells us: We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbours for their good, to build them up.
It continues in verse 5: May the God who gives encouragement, give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had….
We see in the Bible account when Moses, the leader of the Israelites grew weary, others drew alongside him and held up his arms. While his arms were up the battle was won (Exodus 17:8-16).
How do we encourage others?
- We are all unique so encouraging others will look different for each person. The key then is to listen, then listen some more, and listen again. Listen to your person (the one you are wanting to encourage) and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance, you’ll be able to identify what is needed and what method of encouragement to use. Listen not only to the spoken words but also to the tone, posture, facial expressions and so on. Often people will say they are fine, but there are clues indicating that they are not.
- Focus your person’s attention on God. Encourage him/her to Trust Jesus and take courage from who He is, rather than dwelling on the circumstances. When the Israelites did reconnaissance before crossing the Jordan river, it was Caleb who focussed on the God who promised the land rather than on the circumstances and he encouraged all to take the land (Numbers 13).
- Say kind words to cheer your person up. Proverbs 12:25 tell us: Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.
- Send encouraging Bible verses. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a verse that will encourage your person. God’s Word is powerful and speaking it out and over others will accomplish what God wants.
- Pray for your person and let them know. Paul told the believers in Colossians that he prayed for them and went on to tell them how he prayed for them. (Colossians 1:3-12)
- Steer your person away from being stuck in their failure. Failure is temporary and does not define one. Avoid comparisons but look for the good in each person and highlight that. Remind others of their successes and celebrate those, even the small ones.
- Include your person in church activities to build a sense of community and belonging. Doing things together helps people to feel loved and valued. It also builds relationships and trust.
- Create some fun – laughter is always good and helps to break tension and negativity. It brings hope that things will get better and gives a sense of freedom.
- Celebrate the good and focus on good times and memories.
- Exercise patience. The encouraging and kind words you speak today may need to be repeated tomorrow and the next day and the next. Keep encouraging until you see hope in Jesus shine through.
- Empower others by teaching them to lean on Jesus, and to search the Scriptures for guidance for themselves.
- Find practical ways to help when the load is unbearable – maybe a meal, a lift, a trip to the shops for groceries, or set up a babysitting roster. We highlighted at the beginning of the blog how the Israelites held up Moses arms. This was a very simple and practical action but it had an enormous impact on the outcome.
In closing let’s take Hebrews 10: 24-25 to heart and put it into action: And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
– Louise Struwig
*All verses are quoted are from the NIV.