Encouraging along the way

2 Timothy 4:2 (ESV)

Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

Many of us have the opportunity to join together in buildings dedicated to worship. Others will gather in the coldness of a prison cell or in a small, secret place, fearful of authorities. We need the fellowship of God’s people and the instruction of his Word. We need encouragement and the affirmation of belonging to something bigger than ourselves.

Mentors—those who guide others as they grow— are essential in the church, the family, and the workplace. They teach by word and example. As we journey in faith, an encouraging mentor makes all the difference. I still benefit today from being “shown the ropes” by someone who was skilled and committed.

Paul charged young Timothy to make the ministry of God’s Word his top priority. It wasn’t to be done just at opportune times, but at all times. It wasn’t to be so inoffensive as never to correct or rebuke. A surgeon uses an anesthetic but will also use a knife. Timothy was to correct, rebuke, and encourage. He was to do so with patience and accuracy, to encourage his listeners and warn them when they were tempted to follow false teachings.

People need God’s Word. People need encouragement. Knowing God’s Word, we share its teaching and affirmation. Like Timothy, preachers have no choice. And neither do we!

Dear Lord, thank You for being the Word made flesh. Help us to be encouraged by Your example of encouraging. Thank You for the mentors You have sent along the way. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

The power of encouragement

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (ESV)

4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

A survey asked mothers to keep track of how many times they made both negative and positive comments to their children. The surveyed mothers admitted that they criticized at least ten times for every one time they said something favorable. Another survey taken in one city's schools found that the teachers were negative seventy five per cent of the time. This study concluded that it takes four positive statements to a child from a parent or teacher to offset the effects of one negative statement. Wow, when I think about how many times I've said negative things to people in my lifetime, I have some positive paying back to do!

Many times we justify our criticizing, hurtful words and actions by thinking we're right in a matter. But, in fact, the only one who's all right is the Lord! And He has called us to be the encouragers of the world! We have the gift of God residing within us, and we are ambassadors of the His love. We need to constantly remind ourselves to operate under that love in every circumstance - even the most difficult!

When we find ourselves getting ready to criticize, let's strive to stop in our tracks and say something encouraging instead --- not only to the world around us but to ourselves!

Dear Lord, help us to be positive to those around us. Help us to not give into the negative thoughts that we have. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.