Encouragement, Acts 11:22-26
Great job!
You got this! Hang in there! I’ve been there, let’s talk.
It’s going to get
better!
Such simple
phrases can have a great impact on someone who is going through a rough time. To
encourage someone is to inspire, give hope (LASB). One day while tutoring, a
student told me that I always point out the bad, that I was not acknowledging
the good grades only the bad ones. I was taken by this observation the student
made, as I try my best to always encourage them when they seemed to feel the
work was too hard or perhaps felt challenged by an assignment. This opened my
eyes to a second piece involved in encouraging, to not only push for the future
but to remember past success as well.
Barnabas was sent to the church at Antioch to seek evidence of the conversion of the Gentiles. He witnessed to the new believers and encouraged them to stay strong in their faith. Because of what he had witnessed, Barnabas encouraged Saul (Paul) to go to Antioch to teach. This is where believers where first called Christians, signifying the only commonality the people had. Barnabas (whose name means son of exhortation i.e. encouragement) could have left but instead stayed and continued to teach and encourage the new believers as well as support Saul (Paul). As women we often have on our critique hat and are ready to analyze a situation before we really know all the details. At first glance it may not be so easy to encourage someone, however imagine if you were the person needing comfort. We should challenge and train our minds and hearts to empathize with a spirit of love and gentleness. We never know when our words and actions may inspire someone to achieve their potential. When we share our job, family, health, ministry and social experiences with each other, our lives become transparent examples for other women who may have similar situations. What would have happened if Barnabas did not encourage Saul (Paul) to pursue his journey? Would Saul (Paul) have remained in Antioch without the support of Barnabas?
Barnabas was sent to the church at Antioch to seek evidence of the conversion of the Gentiles. He witnessed to the new believers and encouraged them to stay strong in their faith. Because of what he had witnessed, Barnabas encouraged Saul (Paul) to go to Antioch to teach. This is where believers where first called Christians, signifying the only commonality the people had. Barnabas (whose name means son of exhortation i.e. encouragement) could have left but instead stayed and continued to teach and encourage the new believers as well as support Saul (Paul). As women we often have on our critique hat and are ready to analyze a situation before we really know all the details. At first glance it may not be so easy to encourage someone, however imagine if you were the person needing comfort. We should challenge and train our minds and hearts to empathize with a spirit of love and gentleness. We never know when our words and actions may inspire someone to achieve their potential. When we share our job, family, health, ministry and social experiences with each other, our lives become transparent examples for other women who may have similar situations. What would have happened if Barnabas did not encourage Saul (Paul) to pursue his journey? Would Saul (Paul) have remained in Antioch without the support of Barnabas?
Prayer: God help us to love and comfort each
other and be an encouragement to other women. We ask that You provide strength and
make our minds and hearts to empathize with a spirit of love and gentleness. Allow
our transparency to not make us vulnerable but a pillar of hope. Amen
Song of the day: Music video by Donald
Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers performing Encourage Yourself.
(I DO NOT OWN THE RIGHTS
TO THIS MUSIC)
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