I need a lot of encouragement. 

Over the past several years, I have become more aware of my neediness. Maybe it was my upbringing and my parents’ communication styles. Or maybe it was external factors like school experiences, dating relationships, or consistent rejections when applying for jobs (I got a lot of rejections in all of them).

Or maybe it’s the way God created me. 

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13).

So maybe I can’t blame my parents, that bully, the nasty girlfriend, or the hiring manager that didn’t hire me. 

God uniquely created each of us, He is the one that fills our needs:

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:13). 

That includes encouragement. Speaking through the prophet Isaiah, he tells the nation of Israel and us:

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10).

God’s unconditional love for us includes that security of his forever presence, his overwhelming strength, and his abounding desire for relationship with us. There is great comfort in that truth – he is the true source of encouragement through his very character.

But there are times we need a little flesh on that encouragement. It’s more than the random act of kindness (but that’s okay too). Sure, we like encouragement like gushing over your hair, that personal or professional accomplishment, flattering your parenting skills, or using the words, “It’s going to be okay.”  Believer’s encouragement goes in a different direction – it’s not about “feelings.” And the Lord recognized that through his Word:

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness (Hebrews 3:13).

The writer of Hebrews reminds us - encouragement is not something we do to show our Christianity. It is a command. And as the writer tells us, encouragement is non-stop, always offered, and necessary.

We live in a sin-filled world. Dreams are shattered. Loved ones die. Families are torn apart. There are fights, arguments, and disagreements. We grow weary. We feel like giving up. Sin steals joy.  

We must be encouragers. Encouragement provides protection against sin; reminding us of the amazing care of our Lord through the salvation offered through Jesus. It lifts our negative perceptions and self-centered perspectives toward the one that encourages us with his love. We need these grace-filled reminders to boost the church body toward a closer relationship with Jesus.

Our role model is Barnabas. In the early church, he was nicknamed a “son of encouragement” (Acts 4:36). He stood by Saul (the future apostle Paul) after his conversation. Then it’s no surprise he joined Paul on his missionary journeys. He encouraged with words and actions. Paul – and who knows how many others – benefited from Barnabas’ faithfulness and love for God and his people. Barnabas impact on Paul impacts us today. He was real. And a real encourager.

I am assuming the son of encouragement needed encouragement himself. 

By being an encourager, that fellow believer turns away from sin and toward God. That part of the Body of Christ grows a little bit closer to the Lord. Since we ourselves are part of the Body, we are encouraged by our encouragement,

Maybe the encouragement I need will come from the encouragement I offer.

Encouragement for you: There is a reason this segment seeks to encourage you. Every essay that we publish needs to drive you to be encouraged – and be an encouragement to others. Can we be encouragers in creative, yet Godly ways? By doing, share, giving, loving, and speaking, we show the truth – to others and to ourselves.

Dive Deeper: Acts 14:22; Romans 15:4, 15:5; 1 Thessalonians. 4:18, 5:11