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BE AN ENCOURAGER
“…but let us encourage one another – and all
the more as you see the Day approaching,” (Hebrews 10:25, NIV)
It’s tough to encourage others when you live with a chronic
illness day in and day out. It’s very easy to get caught up in our own pain and problems to the point that we forget
others are in worse circumstances than we are. It is also easy to have a negative attitude, instead of dwelling on the positive,
when there is little change in our health situation from day to day.
I can tell you, from my own experience (after living with Chronic
Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome or “CFIDS” for twelve years), that the best way to keep from getting depressed
and dwelling on my circumstances is to get my mind off of myself. I try to remember this acronym and put it into practice
in my life: “JOY” or Jesus, Others, Yourself.
My dictionary defines encourage in this way: “To inspire with courage, hope or resolution.”
In the Scriptures, Barnabas was an encourager. He supported
Paul in his early ministry (Acts 9:27). The prophetess Deborah was also an encourager in the Bible. God raised up Deborah
to lead the children of Israel out from under Sisera’s cruelty (Judges 4:4).
Sharon Betters, a PCA pastor’s wife, lost her sixteen-year-old
son, Mark, and his girlfriend, Kelly, one night in a car accident. According to her, the darkest night of her soul had begun.
How did she make it through the death of her son? “When members of His body were faithful and entered my pain, God used
their sensitive words, hugs, tears and practical acts of service to demonstrate His presence.” [2] She says in her book,
Treasures of Encouragement, that God calls us to encourage those caught in the daily grind of life as well as those in crisis.[3]
Today, focus on Christ and then think of someone you can help other
than yourself. Ask God to bring to mind the name of someone who is hurting, and inspire that person with courage or hope by
a phone call, card or a big smile and a hug. They won’t be the only one who benefits. You will, too!
Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary,
(New York, NY: Lippincott & Cromwell, 1980).
[2] Betters, Sharon. Treasures of Encouragement. (P
& R Publishing Co., 1996), p. 20.
[3] Ibid., p. 21
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