Encouragement
Words of encouragement can have a profound effect on every person, bringing strength to a heart that has grown weary, impatient, or frustrated with many types of circumstances. God has set the precedence for Christian character and early in the story of man-kind, God used encouraging words and actions to motivate His people to stay the course and follow Him. And, throughout scripture, we see that the Lord God has used many different avenues in furnishing encouragement - from visions, to scripture, to prophecies, to using Christians in exhorting one another, forming brotherly and sisterly love. The very idea of sharing a kind or encouraging word with another may seem simple and not a likely topic for study or discussion. But, when taking a close look at scripture we find the importance of reflecting the character of God in every way, which includes utilizing the tool of inspiring others to take courage.
The Bible itself is a wonderful tool which inspires courage. The stories of the Old Testament and the parables found in the New Testament are written to encourage the children of God who are living in a fallen world. In the book of Peter, the writer records that believers in Christ are considered strangers who live in a world foreign to the ways of God. Likewise, the Israelites entered into a new land beyond the Jordan River and were to live their lives quite differently than the current inhabitants. God used words of encouragement to spur the nation of Israel onward and the Lord offers believers today the same support, as we dwell in land that opposes our every value. God Almighty is not only our Creator, Commander and Chief, and Savior; He is also our cheerleader. "Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." (Joshua 1:9)
Throughout Scripture, God also shares words of comfort, inspiration, and love to give those who follow Him the courage to face not only daily obstacles, but life changing events, as well. And, there are times when the Lord also uses prophecy to warn about coming judgements in a way of discouraging certain behaviors. For most every discouraging situation, the Lord has beautifully penned words of encouragement. "Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruits of his doings." (Isaiah 32:19) And, the Lord promises to handle every situation with the gentlest of care. "He shall feed the flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young" (Isaiah 40:11) Visit our Bible resources section where there are many related topics such as love, faith, prayer and thanksgiving.
The Psalms have served to be a great source of comfort and strength for the Lord's people for many generations. The authors of these beautiful writings recorded God's encouragement in their own lives. When the Psalmist was faced with persecution, he wrote, "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me." When the Psalmist needed protecting he penned, "From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from my enemy." (Psalm 61:2-3)
Not only has the Lord equipped us with the Holy Spirit as a form of encouragement, but He has also put the promises of His faithful character in writing, giving us access to inspiration at any time of day. As we seek to follow after our Lord, we discover that encouraging one another is a form of sharing God's love and supportive nature. Many scriptures admonish both Israel and new believers to speak words of comfort and inspiration to one another. God told Moses to encourage Joshua in leading Israel into the Promised Land, and Paul teaches to exhort and lift one another up, which will lead to good works on behalf of the one receiving the words of encouragement.
A specific scripture found in Ephesians, chapter four, explains in summation the importance that our words can have on others, whether good or bad. The tongue is a powerful tool and can be used in furthering God's Kingdom and reflecting God's character, or for destroying good works and bringing scorn upon the Lord's reputation. "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto hearers." (Ephesians 4:29)
The Bible itself is a wonderful tool which inspires courage. The stories of the Old Testament and the parables found in the New Testament are written to encourage the children of God who are living in a fallen world. In the book of Peter, the writer records that believers in Christ are considered strangers who live in a world foreign to the ways of God. Likewise, the Israelites entered into a new land beyond the Jordan River and were to live their lives quite differently than the current inhabitants. God used words of encouragement to spur the nation of Israel onward and the Lord offers believers today the same support, as we dwell in land that opposes our every value. God Almighty is not only our Creator, Commander and Chief, and Savior; He is also our cheerleader. "Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." (Joshua 1:9)
Throughout Scripture, God also shares words of comfort, inspiration, and love to give those who follow Him the courage to face not only daily obstacles, but life changing events, as well. And, there are times when the Lord also uses prophecy to warn about coming judgements in a way of discouraging certain behaviors. For most every discouraging situation, the Lord has beautifully penned words of encouragement. "Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruits of his doings." (Isaiah 32:19) And, the Lord promises to handle every situation with the gentlest of care. "He shall feed the flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young" (Isaiah 40:11) Visit our Bible resources section where there are many related topics such as love, faith, prayer and thanksgiving.
The Psalms have served to be a great source of comfort and strength for the Lord's people for many generations. The authors of these beautiful writings recorded God's encouragement in their own lives. When the Psalmist was faced with persecution, he wrote, "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me." When the Psalmist needed protecting he penned, "From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from my enemy." (Psalm 61:2-3)
Not only has the Lord equipped us with the Holy Spirit as a form of encouragement, but He has also put the promises of His faithful character in writing, giving us access to inspiration at any time of day. As we seek to follow after our Lord, we discover that encouraging one another is a form of sharing God's love and supportive nature. Many scriptures admonish both Israel and new believers to speak words of comfort and inspiration to one another. God told Moses to encourage Joshua in leading Israel into the Promised Land, and Paul teaches to exhort and lift one another up, which will lead to good works on behalf of the one receiving the words of encouragement.
A specific scripture found in Ephesians, chapter four, explains in summation the importance that our words can have on others, whether good or bad. The tongue is a powerful tool and can be used in furthering God's Kingdom and reflecting God's character, or for destroying good works and bringing scorn upon the Lord's reputation. "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto hearers." (Ephesians 4:29)
Encouragement
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