Recently I have become a member of a spiritual community, where I have gotten involved on multiple fronts. I have received a lot of encouragement regarding my contributions to a forum, as well as in my new relationships and interactions. It has made me appreciate in a fresh way my God-given gifts, increased my confidence in what God has done in my life, and motivated me to greater service, especially with my gift of writing. I have also realized two other things. Firstly, there is much positive power in encouragement that each of us have and can use for good within a group or community. And secondly, we ourselves are often not fully aware of our own gifts and positive contributions, and need to be affirmed and encouraged by others.
As to the first point, it is a proven fact that children (and adults) who are encouraged to use their gifts and succeed will reach great heights. Encouragement can come through parents, teachers, friends, and even strangers in a one-time encounter. A family, club, or friendship group (even one on Facebook or on a forum) all provide opportunities for mutual encouragement, and I would like to encourage all of us to make use of these opportunities.
The second point was brought to me recently by a person that I have been in email contact with for a short time and have also read and been inspired by her mature and profound comments in her posts on a forum that we both contribute to. I see this lady as very service-oriented and working hard for God’s kingdom. Yet, she has recognized my contributions and encouraged me, but thought of herself as not doing that much. Sometimes we simply don’t see how we come across and how God is working through us, but others notice. I believe that’s why it is important that we encourage and affirm each other.
I would like to conclude with a few thoughts from the Bible. Some people have a special gift of encouragement (Rom. 12:6-8), but all of us are exhorted to encourage one another and build others up to the best of our ability (1 Thess. 5:11, 14). We can encourage each other to remain on the path of love and to avoid the deceitfulness of sin (Heb. 3:13). We can mutually encourage and inspire one another by our examples – such as faith, service, or perseverance in trials (Phil. 1:14; 1 Thess. 3:7). And we can also encourage and be encouraged by mutual sharing of inspired thoughts and insights (1 Cor. 14:3, 31 in principle). An apt word of encouragement can be something beautiful – the Old Testament book of Proverbs uses a metaphor of “apples of gold in settings of silver” (Prov. 25:11).
Finally, God’s love and grace toward us is extremely encouraging – no matter what else may be happening in our lives. “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word” (2 Thess. 2:16-17).
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