|
|
 I have been thinking, what is encouragement? We may get a pat on the back for a job well done, and may look to faithful friends and neighbors for the elusive encouraging word. Other times, we may notice someone's good deed and speak an uplifting word. But for the most part people are too stressed to say something encouraging, barely noticing another's discouragement.
There were times in my life when encouragement was needed. One of these was last year when I hit a low period after losing my brother and mother in a span of two weeks. Grief following the death of a loved one lasts an extended period and is different for each person. I found it difficult to concentrate on business, and would look for encouragement from someone. At times I found that just a timely phone call, or a cup of coffee with a friend was sufficient help for the day.
I am reading through 1 Thessalonians, and notice the word encouragement mentioned several times and often used in connection with love. Paul said that they shared the gospel of Christ and their own hearts because they loved the people. In one verse I found that God uses us to whisper encouragement to someone in the struggle to live by faith. People are discouraged when they lose a job, or lose a spouse; and I feel loving them goes hand-in-hand with encouraging, and it quickly becomes Uncommon Encouragement.
Paul sent Timothy to check up on the Thessalonian Christians. Timothy's report back to Paul was that they were quite exuberant in their faith. The point is that we can live through most anything that comes our way because of the love of God and the love of His people.
When it came to the loss of a family member, friend or neighbor the Christians didn't know how to handle death. Later, Paul gave the answer that those who died will be raised first that day on which Jesus comes back for us--and together we'll be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And then we'll be with Him, and enjoy Him forever. It's going to be a family reunion. This is Uncommon Encouragement: Jesus loves us, and wants us to love others in the same way.
A friend of Jesus,
Gary Kallio
|