Encouraging One Another Has Important Benefits
Encouraging one another can be a life-changing event for someone else. People who others overlook never hear a kind word from anyone. Just a few words spoken in love can spur them on when they lose hope.
You can make a difference in someone else’s life by training your heart to be sensitive to the needs of others. How? Make sure words of encouragement come out of your mouth.
For me, the idea to encourage others grew in my heart because I’ve never had anyone to cheer me on. To offset my own lack, I became an encourager and learned how to encourage others in the Lord.
Encouraging one another was a way of life for my music teacher
My parents’ lives modeled hard work which they taught to me and my siblings. Consequently, all four children were high achievers. Our parents loved us but very seldom spoke words of encouragement. Years later, I realized we excelled hoping one day to hear, “well done.”
As is true with most parents, they adopt the same parenting skills as their mothers and fathers. We were never hungry or physically abused and enjoyed wholesome activities while growing up on a farm. All the same, encouraging words would have made a huge difference in my life.
Then, my music teacher reached out to me and recognized my singing talent. She was so friendly and loving. Even when I probably sounded like a squawking goose, she patiently taught me how to sing. Evidently, it’s easy for a teacher to spot what students lack. I needed encouragement and lots of it. The fruits of her labor paid off. During a competition, the judges chose me as a member of the Virginia State Choir.
Her encouraging words grounded me in hope so I believed in a prosperous future. From her efforts, I learned how to be an encourager. She and I were lifelong friends and encouraged one another in love until her death.
What Does the Bible Say About Encouraging One Another
Bible scripture anchors Christians when life is overwhelming. Building up others rather than tearing them down honors God’s creation.
Exodus 17:12 – When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset.
Galatians 6:2 – Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you fulfill the law of Christ.
Hebrews 6;10 – God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you show him as you help his people and continue to help them.
Philippians 2:4 – not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.
Proverbs 19:17 – Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he rewards them for what they have done.
Hebrews 10:24-25 – And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Ephesians 4:29 – Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
I Thessalonians 5:14 – And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.
As shown in the above scriptures, when we lift each other up they see the love of Christ in action.
The Benefits of Encouraging One Another
Discouragement can overtake Christians when they see sin abound. That’s why in Hebrews 3:13 the writer points out to “not be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” In other words, don’t let sins you see or those you commit get you down and cause you to distrust God. If you see someone discouraged, tell them “You got this.” Encouragement energizes another person to keep going.
Here are some benefits of encouragement.
- You win spiritual battles: When someone comes alongside you, life seems brighter. You’re more steadfast and fight spiritual battles using your faith.
- You overcome discouragement: Living in a fallen world tends to tarnish our thoughts. Without encouragement, you trudge through difficulties and feel rather unequipped to live victoriously.
- You feel better too: Words formed by God’s spirit and His sweetness and spoken in love uplift your spirit and heal wounds. Proverbs 16:24 – Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. The words you speak to others can heal both of you.
- You live a more satisfying Christian life: In tests and trials, you need others to help foster patience, kindness, and discipline in you while God stretches your faith to advance His kingdom. As others encourage you, God’s importance increases while your desires decrease.
- You please God: Believers who take their roles seriously never want to displease God. They continually think of ways on how to improve as a Christian. As Proverbs 19:17 indicates, God will reward you.
“The Tongue has the Power of Life and Death”
This short familiar scripture in Proverbs 18:21 has a conditional phrase to follow. “And those who love it will eat its fruit.” Nasty words have the potential to kill your soul as well as the person you speak to or they can cause you and others to flourish. Words can uplift or crush someone’s self-esteem.
Wouldn’t you rather be known as an encourager instead of someone who always belittles others? You can learn to filter negative comments and catch them before they form into destructive words.
Make a decision to encourage everyone you meet whether it’s a child, neighbor, co-worker or a stranger. Let God teach you how to change your words and tame your tongue.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
Stay close to Him, receive His comfort, and pass on what you’ve received. Be an encourager.