In part 1 of these blogs on encouragement, we compared encouragement to Newton’s first law of motion. Encouragement is an external force aimed at disrupting (in a good way) the present inertia of our lives. 

If we're stuck, encouragement can get us moving again.

If we're misguided, encouragement can help us realign our lives with God. 

If we're losing momentum, encouragement can be that push that helps sustain us in the work or direction we know we need to be doing. 

Yes, encouragement has the power to do all that.

While this might seem like an oversimplification – we must not underestimate the power of encouragement.  The word “encourage” comes from an Old French word that literally means to “put in courage.” 

When we encourage someone, when we ‘parakaleo’ them, when we come alongside them and call forth something from them, we’re also imparting something to them: courage. 

Courage to change.  Courage to heal.  Courage to start.  Courage to stop.  Courage to believe.  Courage to keep going.

Proverbs 25 puts it this way saying, “The right word at the right time is like a custom-made piece of jewelry, and a wise friend’s timely reprimand is like a gold ring slipped on your finger.” (Prov. 25:11-12 MSG – bold mine).

So, where might we find this this custom-made power capable of pushing us past whatever unhealthy status quo might be tripping us up?  I would encourage you to seek out these four sources this week:

1) THE GOSPEL

1 Thessalonians 4:18 says, “Encourage one another with these words.”  What are these words? According to the verses prior to 4:18, they are the Gospel.  They are the good news of Jesus Christ.  It’s not simply that we’ve been forgiven of our sins – it’s more!  Christ will come again.  He will restore all that is that should not be.  Even death will be undone.  In Christ, God is making all things new.  When you’re discouraged, confront your discouragement with the promise that Christ is with us now and will come again.

2) SCRIPTURE

The scriptures themselves are intended to be a source of encouragement to us.  Listen to these words:

• "When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight..." (Jeremiah 15:16)
• "My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word."  (Psalm 119:28)
• "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness…" (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
• "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. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 15:4-6)

Never underestimate the strengthening and sustaining power of God’s word.

3) ONE ANOTHER

Throughout the scriptures, we are repeatedly told to encourage one another.  It’s not simply a suggestion or a good idea, but a command.  Listen to just a few texts:

• "Encourage one another and build each other up."  (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
• "Encourage one another daily so that you’re not hardened by the deceitfulness of sin."  (Hebrews 3:13)
• "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."  (Ephesians 4:29)

Encouragement is a gift we can give each other so let’s not be stingy. 

4) LITTLE BLESSINGS

Don’t underestimate the power of being grateful for little things.  Sometimes, something small, something seemingly insignificant, is all we need to be encouraged.  Here, gratitude and thankfulness make a huge difference.  In 1 Samuel 14, King Saul has made a terrible decision to force his army to fast until he avenges himself against his enemies.  To complicate these matters, Saul’s own son, Jonathan, wasn’t around when we the command was made, so he didn’t hear it – it’s hard to obey what you’ve never heard!  As they chased their enemies into the woods, here’s what happened next:

"When they went into the woods, they saw the honey oozing out; yet no one put his hand to his mouth, because they feared the oath. But Jonathan had not heard that his father had bound the people with the oath, so he reached out the end of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it into the honeycomb. He raised his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened (lit: his strength was renewed)." (1 Samuel 14:26-27)

While this story is clearly complex and we’ve jumped into the middle of it, don’t miss the obvious: during a time of great challenge and exhaustion, a small taste of honey was all it took to encourage Jonathon. 

Don’t underestimate the power of little blessings, of small things overflowing with goodness and hope. A great cup of coffee, a sweet piece of chocolate, a green light that you didn’t expect to make, a text from a friend; when our hearts are open to being encouraged, encouragement can come from small and surprising sources. 

The bottom line is this: we all need to be encouraged and if we have eyes to see and ears to hear, we might just find that there are far more sources and opportunities to be encouraged than you might think.

So, may the God who gives endurance and encouragement fill you with both today – for the glory of God and the sake of the world.