Encouragement is the action of giving someone support, confidence, or hope. We could all use some encouragement from people at home, at school, at work, and especially in church. This world is a place where someone can easily get discouraged, lose hope, and fall into despair even if you are a Christian. Encouragement from others is like medicine for people who need it and it is our job as Christians to understand when someone needs a little bit of encouragement in their lives and provide encouragement.

Romans 15:4 says. “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” Paul here says that the entire scriptures were written so that we can get encouragement from it and be given hope. The entire Bible is a source of encouragement for all who read it and study it. As Christians, our source of encouragement is Jesus Christ. The hope we have in him and the Bible is the word of God written down for us so that whenever we read it we will be encouraged and uplifted and also be reminded that Jesus is in control. As Christians, we must encourage not only other Christians but also be a source of encouragement for other non-believers in this world. Remember Jesus came into this world to be a source of hope for everyone, not just Christians so we are called to do the same.

Paul says in 2 Corinthians 13:11, “Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.” From this verse, it is clear that we have to encourage one another and not put each other down. If a child is struggling with school maybe they just need some encouragement from you and support instead of criticism. A coworker struggling to finish their work or not performing might just be asking for some help and encouragement from you to assist them with their work. That one person in the church who doesn’t talk to anyone and seems aloof might just need some encouragement and someone who can listen to them.  There is more than one way to encourage others and in the end like Jesus said in Luke 6:31, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” So if you benefit from words of encouragement and it helps you in your own life then return the favor and do the same for others who need encouragement.