How Should We Encourage Others In The Lord?
By Angie Lewis
The command for Christians to encourage one another is found
throughout the bible. In fact, encouragement can drastically
change a person’s life! We all tend to get distressed from time
to time and need encouragement. We may get discouraged about our
marriage for instance, or maybe we are feeling down about
ourselves for some reason. Maybe someone you know is lonely,
depressed or bedridden. Encouraging others is being a friend.
Be Appreciative
Build up the downtrodden for this is what God wants us to do –
it is part of our stewardship as Christians to encourage others
in the ways of the Lord. Show them how much you value him or her
for who they are. It will make a world of difference towards
their attitude. When we build up those who are hurting it
ultimately makes us feel better too.
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just
as in fact you are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Be Respectful
Respect is an important component in all of our relationships
with others. We should always try and be respectful towards
those who are having a bad day, even if they are not being so
kind. It may be the disgruntled young girl at the check out
counter who hurriedly hands you your change, or the grouchy boss
who is disrespecting his employees. Where does that leave you?
Should you become a chameleon because someone else is having a
bad day? I think not. Turn your cheek and detach from the
negative emotions of others. This is the only way to remain
respectful.
Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest
of righteousness.
James 3:18
Pray and Fellowship Together
To help the trouble-hearted there is no better way to encourage
them in the faith than to come together in prayer and
fellowship. This does not have to be in Church – God’s Spirit is
not just in a Church building but is everywhere you are. Invite
a friend over for dinner or backyard barbeque. Tell them about
what God has done for you in your life. How has Christ blessed
you and your family? How was your life before you accepted
Christ into your life? Be a witness for Christ and encourage
those to be more encouraged in Jesus Christ with you!
How good and pleasant it is when fellow
believers live together in unity.
Psalm 133:1
Praise God With Songs And Hymns
Is there someone you know who is depressed or bed ridden with an
illness? How can you bring joy to them? What about music? Grab
your karaoke machine, guitar, and keyboard and make someone
happy singing and playing songs. There is no better way to
uplift the discouraged than through songs and hymns that praise
our Lord and Savior. Record a CD of your musical talents and
hand them out to those who are homebound.
Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.
Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving
thanks to God for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
Ephesians 5:19-20
Have A Forgiving Heart
Jesus instructs us to forgive our enemies, so how much more
should we then forgive strangers, friends, co-workers, parents,
children and spouses? Forgiveness is something Christians must
do every single day. In fact, there is always someone who needs
our forgiveness. This is why it is a good idea to just “be a
forgiving person.” Encourage yourself by being forgiving and
encourage others through the forgiveness you have in your heart.
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one
another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the
Spirit through the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:2-3
Be An Accepting Friend
Acceptance is being patient and long-suffering. Don’t offend a
friend because you cannot accept something about them. We can
continue to love them by shinning our light, but we should not
think more highly of ourselves than we ought to. If we are
loving the same Christ then what is the problem? Should we allow
petty differences to bring dissention in our relationship with
others? I don’t believe that is what God wants us to do. Jesus
came to bring us love not rules.
Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather
think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the
measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one
body with many members, and these members do not all have the
same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and
each member belongs to all the others.
Romans 12:3-5
