The dictionary gives three definitions for encouragement:
1) the action of giving someone support, confidence, or hope.
2) persuasion to do or to continue something.
3) the act of trying to stimulate the development of an activity, state, or belief.
In the Bible, the Greek word for encouragement is paraklesis, from parakaleo, meaning “to come alongside” or “to summon.” It conveys the idea of coming beside someone to provide help, comfort, and reassurance during difficult times.
I don’t know about you, sister, but I find these days we are living in are challenging. I need all the encouragement I can get. I have been a follower of Christ for 50 years, and while I know so much more about God and His Word and what it means to follow Him than I did decades ago, I am painfully aware of how little I know of my Savior. The beauty of being part of the body of Christ and being active in a local church is the opportunity for encouragement—both giving it and receiving it. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.” Clearly, the New Testament models and urges community for believers. In the personal relationships we develop through church, we can both be encouraged and be encouragers ourselves.
When the church was in its infancy as recorded in the book of Acts, Barnabas fulfilled the role of parakaleo for Paul. He commended Saul to the disciples by sharing the story of his dramatic conversion. When new people or newly saved individuals come into your church, make a concerted effort to get to know them and their story so you can introduce them to other believers. Perhaps you know of a sister who had a rough background before she met Christ. She could use the friendship and encouragement of someone who has walked the road longer. We all experience times in our lives or circumstances where we need support, a boost in confidence, or hope. I have a prodigal myself, and the Lord is good to send women into my life who randomly tell me that they are praying for him. The support I feel and the hope it injects back into my soul is invaluable.
Parenting and marriage are both wonderful and yet challenging as well. In Titus, older women (like me) are instructed to train (and I believe encourage) younger women in their roles as wife and mother. Find a young mother at church and make it a priority to spend time with her, encouraging her to train her children in godliness, to love her husband through prayer, and quite often just to hang in there because “this too shall pass,” whether “this” is potty training or middle school drama. I have been encouraged by women both my age and those who are older.
Another part of the Christian life where we need encouragement is in spiritual growth, ministry, and service through our spiritual gifts. The third definition of encouragement says, “the act of trying to stimulate the development of an activity, state or belief,” and that really ties into spiritual growth. Sometimes it is hard to see growth and advancement in our own walk with Christ. But someone outside can observe increased Bible comprehension, a deeper prayer life, or a true gift to teach God’s Word to children. Having these areas confirmed and affirmed can be so powerful, especially for those who carry negative voices from their past in their heads and hearts. As you are able, help them progress even further, by engaging in Bible study together, setting aside time to pray, or inviting them to observe you as you teach so they can refine their gifting or skill. In this way you can truly put parakaleo into action. As they watch you work, have them work with you, and then send them out to do the work on their own when they are ready.
Written words through cards, emails, or texts can be a wonderful way to encourage others in Christ. In Acts 4:36, one man was so encouraging the apostles nicknamed him “Barnabus,” which means “Son of Encouragement.”
At my church we have Mrs. Bev—a true Barnabas (or whatever a daughter of encouragement would be called). Her ministry is sending cards in the mail for birthdays, anniversaries, illnesses, and bereavement. One year on her birthday during the Sunday morning service, I had her come forward for the children’s lesson so the children could present handmade cards to her. I asked the congregation to stand if they had ever received a card from Mrs. Bev, and it is no exaggeration to say 95% of the crowd stood. What a beautiful testament to a woman who has devoted herself to encouraging others through kind written words in thousands of cards over the years.
Here are five ways you can encourage other believers:
- Speak words that encourage the other person to progress in the faith.
- Write words through cards, text, emails, words that remain where people can look back and be encouraged later.
- Spend time with another person in Bible study or prayer time or just share a meal or coffee.
- Give someone a Bible verse card—a quick and easy way to share encouraging words.
- Pray for others, speaking God’s blessing aloud over them. Thank God for the growth and the good things you observe in their lives.
I know from experience that any effort to encourage others is worth it because quite often I come away more encouraged myself. One of my favorite set of verses about encouraging each other in the body of Christ must be 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18: “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.”
Be encouraged, sister, one day—possibly soon—the Lord Himself is coming for us, and we will always be with the Lord. Hallelujah!
