As strong Christians, we're expected to be leaders to those who aren't. However, the idea of supporting the weak in a way that leaves them still weak is of no benefit—we are supposed to be building them up. Romans 15:1-3 says in part, "Now we who are strong ought to bear the failings of the weak...to build them up."
Imagine a person who is too weak to pick up a box. We can do everything for them, and the task gets done, but the person builds no muscle and remains weak, or we can help them enough that they work and grow muscle, until they can do it on their own.
It's tempting to only help a little. Maybe someone has a personal life that's a train-wreck, but polishes up well for assembly, so we think, "Eh, have 'em lead a prayer or a devotional and that'll be enough." Strength training is not an hour-a-week thing. Ultimately we leave that person the same as before: still weak. Let's take the time to focus on the PERSON, which means their—and our—PERSONAL lives. It's not the easiest path and it has no shortcuts, but it's the one that leads to gains.
"For the entire Law is fulfilled in in this one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."—Gal 5:14
Filtering by Category: Encouragement
When should we encourage others?
As long as Christ's church has the potential for improvement, we need to be serious about encouraging others! Part of that is realizing that young people are the future of the church, so we should be filling their encouragement tanks to the full mark. I like what God told Moses to do, saying,
"But your assistant, Joshua son of Nun, will enter it. Encourage him, because he will lead Israel to inherit it.” (Deut 1:38)
Let's encourage young people! They truly will be leading the battle!
What does speaking well of others do?
What's a simple way to encourage someone? Well first, have ya ever heard the saying, "Life's tough, wear a helmet?" The world can beat the ever-loving snot out of you! We should recognize this fact and make sure that we're counteracting that with encouragement.
FACT: We encourage people by speaking well of them to OTHERS!
Paul did that in 2 Corinthians 9:2, writing, “for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the Macedonians, namely, that Achaia has been prepared since last year, and your zeal has stirred up most of them.”
Find someone and boast about them to others! And notice that it not only encourages the person about whom good things are being said, but also those hearing about the achievements!
How can I encourage future leaders?
What do you do when tragedy strikes or something bad happens? Some people get angry and turn on God. Others mope. Some just become apathetic. We are all Christian leaders in some facet of our lives, because we should all be leading people to Christ, so what should leaders do?
Moses was a leader who suffered the worst of setbacks: everything he'd worked to see in the Promised Land was denied him. After so many years and so much heartache, his goal was given to others, but he knew that he would never get to see it. Do you know what he did? In the face of it all, he stood tall and encouraged the next leader, saying to Joshua,
"‘Your eyes have seen all that the Lord your God has done to these two kings; so the Lord shall do to all the kingdoms into which you are about to cross. Do not fear them, for the Lord your God is the one fighting for you.’ (Deut 3:21-22) When we're going through the darkest times in our lives, we can shine the brightest by reacting so very differently than the world would. Let's let Christ shine from us!
I feel like I have battle fatigue.
Battle fatigue, or "combat stress reaction (CSR)," includes a range of behaviors resulting from the stress of battle that decrease the combatant's fighting efficiency. The most common symptoms are fatigue, slower reaction times, indecision, disconnection from one's surroundings, and inability to prioritize.
Treatment of CSR is very simple and focuses on human interaction to restore a person's coping skills. As Christians, we can also suffer from battle fatigue, and like a solider in the military, we need quick, focused contact with our brothers and sisters in Christ. In short, we need some dedicated, intentional encouragement. Are you there to be encouraging when your battle buddies are feeling worn down or shocked? I liked Paul's words in 1 Thessalonians 1:2-4, and we should give words like this to others:
"We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope [n our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father, knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you."
Beautiful, simple; refreshing!
Should we ever discourage anyone?
Should we ever discourage a brother or sister? Encouragement is great, but if the shoe fits, sometimes we need to wear it. Even God, for example, Who is perfect, discouraged Cain by confronting him and telling him that he was going astray.
With each other, we need to encourage good behavior while discouraging bad behavior. It's tempting to never admonish or rebuke, but to instead just set good examples and encourage and exhort, hoping that it'll be good enough! Yet God tells us to "admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone." (1 Thessalonians 5:14)
Sometimes some loving confrontation is what kills sin. Be careful about your attitude though, and check your own eye first.
When should I encourage my brother?
When Paul wrote to Timothy, he said something that I love. It was simply, "Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." (1 Tim 6:12)
When brothers and sisters are going through tough times spiritually, we need to remind them to FIGHT that good fight, to TAKE HOLD OF that eternal life. Let's help each other out, have each other over for studies and dinners; be there to pray with each other in tough times! As spiritual battle buddies, let's have each other's backs!