Be an Encourager: 6 Ways to Encourage Others

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Be an Encourager: 6 Ways to Encourage Others

Proverbs 12:25, "Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad."

Encouragement is like peanut butter, the more you spread it around, the better things stick together. Encouragement is not soon forgotten. William Arthur Ward said, “Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you.”

Be an encourager to others. George Truett was a tremendously effective pastor for decades in Texas. His heart was broken when he accidentally killed his best friend while they were on a hunting trip. His daughter said that she never heard him laugh after that day. Truett had a radio program, and each day when it came to a close he would say, “Be good to everybody, because everybody is having a tough time.” Because he knew personally what a heavy burden people could be carrying, he encouraged compassion toward them. Sometimes we cross paths with people who seem to be harsh and not very easy to like. Yet there is usually a reason for their behavior, and often it is because they are hiding a heavy heart. If we take the time to understand what has happened, we may find that while they have a tough outer exterior, inwardly they are desperately wishing for someone to care about them.

Find someone today who needs to hear an encouraging word and give it to them.

There are many times when people are discouraged simply because of the nature of living in a fallen world. There are pains, disappointments, and defeats that each of us will face. The temptation in those trying times is to despair and give up. In those moments, a simple word of encouragement can be powerful. Solomon wrote, “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9–10).

It is a blessing to have friends to offer that kind of help and encouragement when things are hard. But it also falls to us to be such a friend—to be ready to provide hope and comfort when others face difficulty. Sometimes we get wrapped up in looking for someone to come and encourage us when God wants us to be offering encouragement to others. There is never a bad time to provide genuine and hopeful words to a friend. Indeed, by doing so, you may help make the difference between success and failure.

Barnabas was known for his selfless generosity, his dedication to spreading the gospel, and his ability to settle disputes among believers. Though his name was Joseph, the apostles called him Barnabas, which translates as “Son of Encouragement” (Acts 4:36). Encouraging others is not only for those with “Barnabas” personalities or gifts. The Bible clearly speaks to all believers. I Thessalonians 5:11, “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” How do we carry out that command? There are at least six methods that uplift believers and nonbelievers alike whereas we too can become like Barnabas. They are to cater, call, connection, concentrate, commiserate, and to contribute.

Points to Ponder:

• Barnabas was an encourager and we, too, are called to be encouragers.
• We should be an encouragement to others.
• Find someone today who needs to hear “a good word” and give it to them.

Questions to Consider:

• For the glory of God, will you say, “God, make me an encourager?”
• How often has God given us opportunity to bless someone else, but we fail to do so?
• Today, who can I come alongside and serve or encourage?
• Why don’t we ask God today to help us be aware of opportunities to say a good word to someone, to lift a heavy heart, to be an encouragement?

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I know You see that person who is hurting. Their mind and emotions seem shackled in shame. Send me and shine Your light through my life. May Your Word fill their deepest longings until they overflow with joy. Replace any destructive thoughts they might have with the truth of Your Word. Help me to always see that encouraging others as the privilege it is rather than a burden. In Jesus name, Amen.

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