Encouragement
Sometimes we go through the week (or sometimes much longer) very discouraged by life that has not gone as we had planned or hoped. We hear bad news about friends going through critical health issues, we look at our checkbooks and wonder how to make it to the end of the month, our car breaks down on the way to work, a relationship has been broken by a misunderstanding, we hear of the impending divorce of dear friends. There are many things that crop up suddenly in our lives that cause us to become unsteady, both in our emotional stability, and also our spiritual walk with the Lord. As Christians, how do we react to the negative issues of life that come into our sphere of family and friends? Do we rant at God for allowing it to happen? Do we draw away from others because we can't face the issue head on? Our first response should be to go to God with a humble spirit asking for His help, but the beautiful part of our Christian family is that we can go to each other for help as well. We should not be ashamed when we are down to call on someone to help us get back up! Or turning it around, we should always be quick to run to the aid of a Christian brother or sister in need.
In Thessalonians 5:11, we are told by Paul to "encourage one another and build each other up." Romans 15:2 says, "Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up." We all have occasion where we begin to droop, we falter in our faith, we lose strength to handle the negative circumstances in our life. That's why it is so vital that Christians encourage one another. When one falters, we are to come alongside and hold them up until they can regain their strength in the Lord. We can do that in so many various ways. We can pray, we can physically meet a need they may have, we can simply be there for a shoulder to cry on, we can point them to Christ, the Savior who promises to be their Helper.
Paul encouraged us to maintain the spirit of unity with one another so that God may be glorified. We are there for one another, just as Christ is always there for us. We are to value one another and realize that each and every person is valuable to God. We have means to help others through Christ in some manner. Let's maintain a heart that is willing to reach out to others that are hurting, or that simply may mean a cheerful smile, a tender pat on the shoulder, a kind word said in love.
Do you know someone that is struggling? Find a way to reach out to them. God will show you what needs to be said and done. You just need to take that first step.
Be an encourager!
Sandy
In Thessalonians 5:11, we are told by Paul to "encourage one another and build each other up." Romans 15:2 says, "Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up." We all have occasion where we begin to droop, we falter in our faith, we lose strength to handle the negative circumstances in our life. That's why it is so vital that Christians encourage one another. When one falters, we are to come alongside and hold them up until they can regain their strength in the Lord. We can do that in so many various ways. We can pray, we can physically meet a need they may have, we can simply be there for a shoulder to cry on, we can point them to Christ, the Savior who promises to be their Helper.
Paul encouraged us to maintain the spirit of unity with one another so that God may be glorified. We are there for one another, just as Christ is always there for us. We are to value one another and realize that each and every person is valuable to God. We have means to help others through Christ in some manner. Let's maintain a heart that is willing to reach out to others that are hurting, or that simply may mean a cheerful smile, a tender pat on the shoulder, a kind word said in love.
Do you know someone that is struggling? Find a way to reach out to them. God will show you what needs to be said and done. You just need to take that first step.
Be an encourager!
Sandy
posted by Sandy Fewell at 4:16 PM
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