Embracing the Power of Encouragement

Have you ever considered that one of the ways God works in others’ lives is by placing you in relationship with them? It’s amazing to think that you get to participate in what He’s doing. 

One of the most powerful ways to do that is through the ministry of encouragement.

Encouragement is something I’m deeply passionate about. I’m pretty sure I have the spiritual gift of encouragement, as I’m often working to lift the spirits of those around me. My dad is the same way, and sometimes I’ll joke that I must have inherited it from him (even though spiritual gifts don’t work that way). We’re both constantly on the lookout for ways to encourage the people in our lives. 

Whether you’re a natural encourager or not, you can still take part in this much-needed ministry. I hope reading this post will give you some ideas on how to do that.

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. 

— Romans 15:5-6 (ESV)

definition, please

Since it’s often confused with other things, let’s define what encouragement is and what it isn’t.

A main way you can encourage others is by calling out the good qualities you see in them while expecting further greatness from them—naming what you can see and awakening what can be. Encouragement is recognizing God’s hand at work in someone’s life and telling them so. It’s seeing the good He has already done, bringing out the greatness He is growing in the present, and believing in the glory He is working toward.

I’m not talking about flattery. Your motive for encouraging someone is not to get something from them, and you don’t need to say anything that isn’t true or couldn’t come true. Your motive is to propel them toward becoming the best person they can be, the person God is shaping them into, and you only speak what you already see and what you can see by faith.

You can encourage others through what you don’t say. By not constantly reminding them of their flaws and hounding them to change, you show that you’re trusting God to work in them. 

I’m not saying you have to be blind to their weaknesses. It’s perfectly fine to acknowledge that someone has room to grow. But you don’t need to fixate on those areas. Rather than making you blind, encouragement requires you to use a deeper kind of sight, which acknowledges that someone has weaknesses but realizes that who they are encompasses so much more.

You can also show love by listening. A caring listener doesn’t need to say much in order to be an excellent encourager. All you have to bring are open ears and a tender heart. Showing compassion for someone in this way can mean more than you realize. It’s immensely encouraging to know that someone believes that what you have to say matters.

“I believe that it is important to proactively care about all those around you. The difference between Jesus and most people is that when He asks you how you’re doing, He waits to hear the answer. If you really want to find your place in this world, you’ll discover that it’s right next to a person who needs your help.”¹ 

sign of growth

Not only does encouragement help bring growth in others’ lives, but it’s also a sign of growth in your life. Encouragement is a form of humility. It requires you to focus on others and think about how you can be a blessing to them. The more you’re thinking about how to encourage other people, the less you’re thinking about yourself.

Encouragement is a sign of character. Some people are harder to encourage than others, as not everyone knows how to respond to genuine encouragement (often because they haven’t received much of it) and will push it away. In these cases, it takes perseverance and creativity to figure out how to encourage someone in a way they can accept. And of course, some people are hard to encourage because they don’t have very many positive qualities. But if you look hard enough through the lens of love, eventually you’ll find something to encourage them about.

While the ministry of encouragement can be incredibly enjoyable and exciting, it also takes energy and creativity. Encouragement isn’t one-size-fits-all (few things are). It will vary depending on the person you’re talking to and your relationship with them. Don’t be afraid to experiment until you find what most encourages someone (it might be a lot different from what encourages you).

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.  We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 

— 1 Thessalonians 5:11-14 (ESV)

encouragement for the encouragers

Is there anything more noteworthy in life than to be called an encourager? Encouragers breathe life into tired and weary people. Encouragers lift the spirits of the grieving. Like a beautiful sunrise or a colorful sunset draws us to the wonder of things beyond this earth, so the encourager draws us to things beyond our earthly problems.

. . . God gives us clear indication in His word that we are to walk through the valleys in confidence that He has a plan and a purpose to bring hope and encouragement to our lives.

. . . If we are open to the Holy Spirit[,] we can thrive in Christ. Even when we struggle, we can experience the sweetest[,] most amazing fellowship that could ever be experienced in the entire world. It is the glory of God, the encouragement of God, deep in our spirits that brings us blessing beyond anything we can imagine. It is the blessing of knowing that the Lord is indwelling us with His very own glory, the glory of an encouraged heart that only [H]e can supply.

— Scott Cernek

Encouraging others isn’t always an easy endeavor. Sometimes we encouragers need to be encouraged ourselves. If that’s where you are today, let me remind you that while it’s easy to tear others down, it takes a work of faith and hope and love to build others up. That’s the work you are doing, and it matters immensely. Don’t underestimate the power of encouragement.

---

1. Michael W. Smith, It’s Time to Be Bold (Nashville: Word Publishing, 1997), 159. ↩︎