Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11
The ministry of encouraging one another is often put in the ‘too hard basket’ for many people these days. For many, it appears easier to portray indifference, which is nothing other than being negative toward a person and their circumstance. We can tend to have a ‘hands off’ approach and in the process, be discouraging rather than encouraging.
But the duty and mark of the Christian is that we be encouragers of one another. So, what does encouragement look like? Is it an action that may speak volumes, like a smile, a nod of the head, a handshake, or any other friendly gesture?
These actions are all-important and may intentionally be encouraging, but to be spiritually encouraging, is something more than gestures! True, spiritual encouragement is based on the foundation of absolute truth.
The world is full of ideas, opinions and conjecture that can be passed on to encourage. And some of these things can encourage, but if they are not traceable back to the truth and principles of Scripture they fail in being spiritual encouragement.
All believers need to be spiritual encouragers, certainly not indifferent toward our brothers and sisters in the Lord.
A word of thanks, a word to cheer the downcast, a word of appreciation, a word of biblical counsel, (even if it may seem harsh) all are encouragements that find their roots in the truth of Scripture.
It is true, as Wayne Mack once wrote; “Though some people may seem to be naturally gifted at encouraging and uplifting other people, the Bible makes it clear that we’re all to be encouragers. According to Scripture, encouragement is to be a regular part of our interaction with other people. This necessarily means that we must spend time with other people for the purpose of knowing their needs, their struggles, and how best they may be encouraged.” [Grace Quotes]