“For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means ‘Son of Encouragement’).” (Acts 4:36 NLT)
Barnabas is arguably the greatest encourager in the New Testament, save Jesus Himself. It’s interesting in the verse above the word translated “Encouragement,” used in reference to Barnabus, is the same word Jesus used in John 15:26 to describe the Holy Spirit. Jesus said: “But I will send you the Advocate – the Spirit of truth.”
Encouragement is no small thing and can take many forms. For example, some of the definitions Strong’s uses are: “consolation, exhortation, comfort and intreaty.” But rather than spend a lot of space writing about what it means to be an encourager, I’d like to address the reasons we need encouragement in the first place.
What discourages you? We all have “triggers” or “buttons,” call them what you will, that launch us upward and onward, or drag us down and set us back. Being subject to depression, it sometimes doesn’t take much to push me down, but for me a fast track to an emotional tailspin is doing something for someone you think will be an encouragement to them, but it turns out to be just the opposite.
I’m reminded of Joseph Bayly’s book The View From a Hearse. Having lost three children to death, he was quite familiar with funeral homes. One thing he said that has stuck with me was that there would be those who would come to “comfort” him, yet they would talk on and on and he thought they’d never leave. Then there were others who would come and sit quietly with him, and he wished they’d never leave.
Bayly wrote: “Tears are a universal language. One need not understand words to comprehend their meaning. They communicate far more deeply than verbalization ever could. And it is a language that everyone speaks, sometime, somewhere. The pain of illness, disease, war, rejection, desertion, financial reversal, death, and more, leaves a person suffering, stunned, questioning “Why? Why me? Why now? Why this?” It leaves them drowning in a sea of perplexity.”
Charles Swindoll wrote: “Discouraged people don’t need critics. They hurt enough already…. They need encouragement.” Pain, heartache, loss, uncertainties related to health and many other things can be discouraging, but rather than “answers,” often what we most need is a comforter, not a criticizer; someone to sit with us, hold us, pray for us, not try to figure us out or even “understand” us.
Where are you today? What is the Lord leading you to do on behalf of someone you know who is discouraged? A call? A note? An invitation to a meal? A walk together in a park? May I be honest? When I’m down I’m a lousy conversationalist. The last thing I need is someone asking me “What’s wrong?” “What can I do?” “Do you need anything?”
Sometimes I just need to be left alone, but other times I want to be wanted without explanation. Quietness can be a solace, even with someone else present. Recently I sat with a friend for a couple of hours in mostly silence after he lost a loved one to cancer. Presence is an indispensable part of relationships.
Think of the presence of God in times of trial, heartache, and uncertainty. Words can’t describe the sense of peace and satisfaction He brings with His holy presence. Never underestimate the value of your presence with someone who needs to be encouraged.
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 