Encourage one another

In his letter to the Thessalonian believers, Paul exhorts them to encourage one another. He understands that we all need words of affirmation, such as ‘Well done. You’re doing a good job.’

I was on a training course during which the teacher asked each of us to turn to the person next to us and say something to encourage them. The man sitting next to me said something so beautiful that I was almost overwhelmed and didn’t know what to say. What he had said truly fed my spirit. When I think about it now it still gives me a warm glow.

But I’m aware that Christians sometimes feel discouraged. They feel that their efforts to help and serve in various ways aren’t even being noticed. They don’t do what they do just to receive thanks from someone, but they would be mightily strengthened by an encouraging word or a ‘thank you’.

Just imagine the difference it would make in our church fellowships if everyone made determined efforts to encourage one other. Perhaps we could send a note to someone, or give them a phone call, or just make a point of saying ‘thank you’. By doing so we would help to affirm others and build up their human spirit.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray that You will strengthen in me a ‘ministry of encouragement’ that I may always be ready with the right word or action to build up my fellow Christians. Amen.