Encouragement Study
Encouragement plays a pivotal role in shaping individuals' attitudes, behaviors, and achievements. It has the power to instill confidence, inspire perseverance, and promote personal development. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of encouragement can empower individuals to harness its potential and create supportive environments that nurture growth and success.
I am naturally an encouraging individual. It is so easy for me to tell someone they are awesome, that I am proud of them, that I like their, or that I believe in them. These statements happen organically for me, but I know not everyone is an encourager or even comfortable being an encourager.
I recently did a study on the word Encouragement in and throughout scripture. Using Blueletterbible.org, study Bibles, Life Application Commentary by Tyndale, and a few study guides along with my own perspectives here are the notes that I have complied:
Encouragement
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17
Iron tools are made sharp, and fit for use, by rubbing them against the file, or some other iron; so, a man sharpens his friend. We are to build each other up.
1 Thessalonians 5 mentions how we are to build each other up. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.
We encourage, challenge, and edify each other. Edifying someone goes back to the virtue of Kindness.
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had." Romans 15:5
Kids repeat what they hear. If they hear encouragement, they are more likely to encourage.
Morgan and I have a friend with a young daughter, and when they play catch the little girl says. “Good throw daddy, wow daddy, good catch daddy.” She knows to say those things and encourage because she has heard and seen encouragement come from her parents to her and from her parents to each other.
The Encouragement Game- I want to pause here and play a quick game. I want you to partner up with the person sitting next to you and give them encouragement. It could be a nice haircut, I love your shoes, I love your servant’s heart or your heart for God. Turn to your neighbor and give them encouragement and then give encouragement back. (PAUSE if you are reading alone. Come back and do this later with spouse, child, coworker, or friend)
A cool thing about encouragement is you can make someone in a conversation feel like they are the coolest person and you have been waiting your whole life to meet them. It’s not always easy or comfortable to encourage or to sharpen one another. People can push back, disagree, and reject your encouragement. Encouragement and compliments can make people uncomfortable. “I don’t know how to take that or accept that.” If that is you, that can go back to humility just say thank you and praise the Lord and then move on.
Christian brothers and sisters sometimes are not in agreement - even over the interpretation of scripture. One may come from Baptist background another may come from Methodist background or a no church background and may see the same verse in a different light. Discuss it - talk it out - try to understand the others perspective. They may not change their views - but in the process they have become sharper into the understanding of scripture - which is a good thing.
Here's a perspective on encouragement. When you are in a room, is it a better environment and a better atmosphere because you are there? Perhaps it is your office, the breakroom, the living room of your home. Are you quick to be negative or are you quick to edify and encourage? When was the last time you encouraged a coworker, your boss, your spouse, your child? Here is a challenge for you, before you leave a room, stop and think, did I encourage someone today? Did I build someone up? Let’s use tomorrow as an example, before you clock out, did you practice the virtue of encouragement? If not, go back and find someone. You are really good at your job, I enjoy working with you, thanks for working so hard. How about tonight before bed? Encourage your spouse, thanks for how hard work, you are such a great mom! You care for our kids so well! I’m so honored to be your spouse. I have heard it said that “The world belongs to the encourager.”
Blueletterbible.org has this to say about Encouragement: “Encouragement can also be called exhortation in the Bible and in fact it comes up as one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Exhortation: One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is that of exhortation. Paul wrote to the Romans about this particular gift He said.
We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness (Romans 12:6-8 NRSV).
The gift of exhortation is listed separately from the gift of teaching. The word exhortation comes from a root word that means “to advocate or comfort.”
The gift of exhortation is also known as the gift of encouragement. Depending upon the circumstances, the gift of exhortation can encourage, or rebuke, people in the church. A teacher should possess this gift, but not all those with the gift are teachers of God’s Word. The exhorter, or encourager, is one who calls people to action.”
One study guide I read used Barnabas as an example. “Scripture says that he encouraged Paul when he was a new believer. In fact, when Paul first came to Jerusalem as a new Christian he was shunned by the others.
They were afraid of him because of his reputation of persecuting the church. Barnabas not only encouraged Paul, he helped him join together with the other believers. Consequently, he performed a valuable service in this instance.
Indeed, we discover that Barnabas was actually named Joseph. His name was changed to Barnabas which means “one who encourages.” This encouragement continued. Barnabas also helped settle a problem between Paul and John Mark. For a time, Paul considered John Mark as being unprofitable in the ministry. Barnabas took John Mark along with him on a missionary trip when Paul refused to let him be part of his ministry. However, later Paul wrote that John Mark was profitable.”
Encouragement is a much needed and underappreciated gift. The encouraging work of Barnabas was a huge help. From these examples, we can conclude that this is a spiritual gift that is greatly needed in the church. Indeed, while all Christians should be encouraging one another, we should be especially thankful for those who have this particular spiritual gift.
Perhaps you are not a person of faith but encouraging others comes naturally to you. Whether you realize it or not, you have the gift of encouragement. If you see someone at work, school, in your family and think to yourself they need to be encouraged. Then the best person to do that is you.
Encouragement has a positive impact on people's lives. By offering support, recognition, and kind words, individuals can inspire others to reach their full potential. Encouragement fosters a sense of community and creates a positive environment where everyone can thrive. It is important to remember that your encouragement can make a difference in someone's life and contribute to a more supportive and uplifting society.
Start encouraging people today! Good luck on your quest to encourage others.
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