Offer Encouragement and Strength

Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, “How can I help?”

– Romans 15:1-2 MSG

Offer Encouragement and Strength

Only his second week on the job after six months of COVID-related unemployment, Jeff received some really bad news. He hoped his coworkers wouldn’t notice over the video conference, but they did. He stepped away from his computer in his home office and took a walk to clear his head. When he returned, more than a dozen encouraging messages flooded the company “morning coffee” channel of his company’s messaging platform. And they were all kind words to him, expressing how much they appreciated him and their hope of good things to come for him.

The early church struggled to bring diverse people together. Differences between the Jews and Gentiles spanned a monumental gap. They shared very little in their traditions, customs, culture, practices and languages. But scriptures such as those in the book of Acts show letters from church leaders that brought encouragement and strength to believers.

“They gathered the church and read the letter. The people were greatly relieved and pleased. Judas and Silas, good preachers both of them, strengthened their new friends with many words of courage and hope. Then it was time to go home. They were sent off by their new friends with laughter and embraces all around to report back to those who had sent them.” (Acts 15:31-32 MSG).

The letter, and others like it in the Bible, brought unity and joy, encouragement and strength because it answered the questions that concerned leaders and new believers.

Here are four ways to help you find ways to offer encouragement and strength to others:

• Watch for opportunities to lift others up.
• Ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom and guidance in your conversations.
• Affirm the things they already know about God and His relationship with them.
• Be cautious, not only in what you say but how you say it, by carefully watching your tone of voice and attitude.

Today’s One Thing

Take time today to encourage or pray for someone you know.

Additional Reading

Receive Devotionals like This in Your Email