Encouraged as We Encourage

It has been said, “One of the highest human duties is the duty of encouragement. It is easy to laugh at men’s ideals; it is easy to pour cold water on their enthusiasm; it is easy to discourage others.  The world is full of discouragers.  We have a Christian duty to encourage one another.  Many a time a word of praise or thanks or appreciation or cheer has kept a man on his feet.  Blessed is the one who speaks such a word!”

We all deal with discouragement in ministry.  Discouragement at the hands of our brothers and sisters is tough and can cause resentment.  This resentment can cause us to be bitter and withdraw.  But Jesus didn’t call us to bitterness and resentment. He never withdraws from us.  He calls us to love and to serve like He did.

Paul suffered greatly at the hands of the religious.  He put his trust in Jesus and understood the strength and hope He gives.  As Paul was imprisoned, he wrote letters to encourage others. Discouragement and hard times weren’t going to keep Paul down!  In the moment, he did all he could to help encourage the church.  Paul understood his calling.  He knew that he was in a unique position to minister to and encourage the church, so that is what he did!

As ministers’ wives, we are in a unique position to minister to and encourage our church family and our husbands.  When tough times come, let’s look to the wonderful examples of those like Paul.  We can “rejoice always” and “learn to find contentment in all things” when we remember that our strength is found in our Savior.  When we are down and are tempted to withdraw, let’s choose to shift our focus outward and consider how we can minister to and encourage those around us. 

We will be blessed and encouraged as we encourage others. What can we do to encourage our husbands this week?  What can we do to encourage those in our church families this week? Let’s be intentional encouragers!  “Blessed is the one who speaks such a word!”

In Him,

Lindsey Harris

I am encouraged by these excerpts from Paul’s prison letters.  They show us his heart and how he encouraged others even in the midst of suffering.  Ephesians 1:15-21, Philippians 1:3-11, 2:1-4, 2:12-18, 4:1-13, Colossians 1:3-8, 2:5-7