Real Hope: Building Others UpSample

The Power of Encouragement

In so many ways, we can’t do life alone. No matter how introverted we are, we all need a community we can rely on and people who offer us support in hard times and who are adventure buddies in the good times. On a spiritual level, we need people who’ll stand with us in our desire to follow the teachings of Christ and weather the difficulties we encounter.

In the lead-up to this verse in 1 Thessalonians, there’s mention of some ways the church should be living: as people of light, finding hope in salvation, and protecting ourselves with faith and love.

It’s not always easy to keep those things in mind when circumstances shake us, or when we’re busy or just occupied by life’s obligations.

The good thing is scripture not only tells us what to aim for but how to achieve it: through encouragement and feeding one another’s confidence. It’s not about puffing up our egos but feeding each other’s shared pursuit of Christlikeness and helping us focus on Him and His truths when the noise around us makes it difficult. Just as we all need that encouragement, someone needs us to offer it to them. Who in your world needs a kind word right now? Is there someone who needs to know they’re not alone?

Lord, today, please help us recognize those we can encourage and help others realize when we need encouragement.

Written by LAURA BENNETT

Want more? Check out the Real Hope Conversations Podcast and delve deeper into our conversation about the topic of Building Others Up. Available wherever you listen to podcasts.