WE BRING JOY AND HOPE TO OTHERS WITH OUR ENCOURAGEMENT
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If I can put one touch of rosy sunset into the life of any man or woman, I shall feel that I have worked with God. – G.K. Chesterton –
Jesus believed in the power of encouragement. He was the perfect encourager throughout His time of ministry in the world. He radiated compassion. People were drawn to His warmth, His love, His caring nature. He perceived just the right words to say that spoke to the hearts of those in need… the suffering, the downtrodden, the outcasts. He refreshed and uplifted their spirits.
Encouraging words are so lacking in our world today. So few take the time to speak words that bring joy to the souls of others. People tend to become so wrapped up in their own lives that they fail to see the needs of those around them. Yet a cheerful word can work wonders for anyone weighed down by life.
Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. – Proverbs 12:25
We read in Scripture of a man named Barnabas… a follower of Christ and one of His 70 chosen disciples. While traveling with Jesus in Galilee, he learns to model His Master’s gift of compassion and encouragement. Barnabas is the nickname given him by the apostles meaning “Son of Encouragement”. Imagine the impact his life had on others to have created such a legacy!
After the apostle Paul experiences his miraculous conversion, the disciples in Jerusalem cannot believe that this former persecutor of Christians could now be on their side. Yet Barnabas believes in Paul and comes alongside him as a mentor. He encourages him to present his case before the unconvinced apostles. He vouches for the authenticity of Paul’s newfound faith along with his commitment to Christ and The Way.
He (Barnabas) was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. – Acts 11:24
In Antioch, Barnabas encourages and exhorts the new believing Jews and Gentiles to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He and Paul then heed the Lord’s call and set out on their first missionary journey together. The gospel reaches new lands and people. Along the way, many are saved and churches are established. Recent converts are heartened and emboldened by the cheer and encouragement of both Barnabas and Paul.
Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds… encouraging one another. – Hebrews 10:24-25
The word “encourage” means to fill with courage, to inspire with confidence, spirit, hope. Barnabas seemed to come by this gift naturally. Yet we can all be encouragers if we open our eyes and our hearts to those in need around us. We can be messengers of joy, hope and good cheer… offering to all the compassion and grace of Christ.
For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. – 2 Corinthians 2:15
Could you be a “Barnabas”… an encourager to someone in your life? People thrive on encouragement. You may encounter a reaction of surprise since it is so unexpected in this world. Yet it touches lives and is received with grateful hearts. Your encouragement may just change the course of someone’s day… or perhaps even their life.
† Eternal Takeaway – Encouragement offers to others the compassion of Christ †
