Why Encouragement is important

Stress. Stress. Stress. In a cosmopolitan area where people are used to fast-pace lifestyle, Stress is the most uttered word whenever one is faced with the question, ‘why do you look so tired’. I am one of those people who reason out that stress is the culprit for having saggy cheeks, dark eye bags and unmanageable hair and make-up.  But is it really stress that hinders me from looking good or doing well? Or is it the lack of encouragement? That’s the one thing that kept me thinking for some couple of time.

  I am not lonely.  In the first place, I have my friends who never fail to give words of wisdom whenever I feel like doing something wrong. They are always there whenever I am pissed and left out. I have no issues with all of these, I get comfort and praise until one day I noticed, rarely do I hear words of encouragement. Now that rings a bell. I realized it is not comfort that matters, it is encouragement that will help me excel. This is not a self-centered post, I apologize for sounding so self-absorbed.  But I just want to share the value of encouragement which most of us tend to look over.

The main question to be answered is, why is it necessary to encourage other people?

            First, Encouragement is necessary because it builds people. I remember when I was small, my parents used to tell me I am doing good in school and that I could still do better If I strive harder. Well that may seem a cliché but it really means something to someone hearing those words. In fact the scriptures tell us about how important encouraging words are.

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.- Hebrews. 10:25

Although it is used in a different context, still, it tells us that there is really a need to encourage one another. As members of the body of Christ, showing compassion and speaking words of encouragement mean a lot to one’s Christian journey. Sometimes it determines how one person sees fellowship and how important it is in one’s spiritual growth. The Lord teaches us that there will really be trials and sorrows in this world, and as believers , the least we can do for our brothers and sisters is to pray for them and encourage them to press on. It is a way for us to help a brother or a sister fan the flame of worship and build his or her character in Christ. For in 1thessalonians 5:11, it says there

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Secondly, encouragement drives away fear.  The parable of the talents in Matthew is one perfect example of how fear does something inside us that make us ineffective

So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’

 

“His master replied, `You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seeds

            Fear leads us to wickedness and laziness, that’s why we need to encourage one another to drive this away.

 -Matthew 25:25-26

Thirdly, encouragement brings hope. Hope in the Noah Webster’s dictionary of 1828 is defined as a faithful expectation of good things to come. Whenever we speak words of encouragement, we speak of good things that might and will happen in the future. It is like casting away disappointments and giving light and life to one’s future.  An anonymous writer once said.

“if there is no hope in the future, there’s no power in the present’ to emphasize, how important hope is.  One important thing about hope and encouragement is in Romans 15:4

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

 Lastly, encouragement brings encouragement. This is the most practical application of this lesson. Whenever you are discouraged, look for someone to encourage and you will see how things will change in a split of a second. Prov. 11:25, tells us the power of refreshing

A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

The next question to be answered is , how to encourage? Well there are five(5) practical ways to encourage others.

1.     Spoken word. Speak words of blessing. A blessing is not a blessing unless spoken..

2.     Notes and letters. If you are a writer, why not use your talent to give hope to other people. Simple prayer in notes and stickies can have a great impact to how one’s day would turnout.

3.     Visit. Surprise someone and tell him or her how happy you are to see him or her

4.     Just be there. Even if you don’t do something , your presence would really mean a lot to someone especially if he needs it at the moment.

5.     Gifts. How can someone forget giving gifts? You do not have to wait for Christmas or a very special occasion to give gifts. All you need is a big heart. You would want to give her classy bags or car accessories or what have you, you might even give a friend a nappy bag for her child or even nappies. haha . Or maybe just get him or her to some place nice.

Whatever your chosen method is, all that matters is your heart and intention to brighten up one’s day or perhaps one’s life. I , personally, will be delighted seeing my family and closest friends around, but nothing stops someone from giving me shoes and bags( even nappy bags) haha