Encourage One Another

Yesterday I received some, well, inconvenient news. So rather than indulging an incredibly-low-energy day, I had to work. Hard. And BOY was my heart grumpy about it—at least initially.

But then, thankfully, the Lord helped me to repent. He reminded me of certain teachings from Pastor Bryce’s sermon. He reminded me of who I was and (even more importantly) Who He was. I began to thank Him for feeding me with the bread and the wine during the Lord’s Supper.

And rather than grouse around, I began to look for ways to encourage.

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 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 10:19-25

Oh oh oh! How sweet it is to be encouraged. AND to encourage.

Life will always be stressful, difficult, and challenging. There may be moments of calm, seasons of rest. But overall? Life is HARD. That’s why we are called to encourage one another.

Let’s not be stingy with encouragement! Let’s look for ways to help the people around us to feel that they BELONG. They are WANTED. They are not alone.

(Isn’t it true that this sense of having a place in the world is so important to PEACE and JOY?)

When we feel alone, we feel vulnerable. And in fact, we ARE vulnerable. It is not good to be alone. So let’s be GIVERS of regular, sincere, loving, encouragement. Let’s INVEST in each other’s lives … all the more as we see the Day approaching.

No more discouragement! (I’m preaching to myself here.) Turning away from little acts of rudeness, a put down ‘in fun’, bearing grudges, not blessing those who offend/annoy/reject/HURT us.

But instead, a lifestyle of encouragement. Flowing right out of God’s love for us, let us love and encourage one another.

This is my prayer as I start my day.

I hope that you are encouraged today!

Sending you my love,
Tara B.