What Does The Bible Say About Encouragement

Christians are commanded by God to encourage one another daily (Hebrews 3:13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.). There are many reasons why it is important for us to value encouragement. It is said in the same passage that we need to encourage one another so that none of us may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” All throughout the Word of God, we can read instructions to encourage one another. We can also find powerful Bible verses that are meant to give us encouragement. God wants us to know how necessary encouragement is to our walk of faith.

Not all believers of Christ are outsiders to the troubles and challenges of the world. In fact, Jesus told us that “in this world you will have trouble.” But the verse doesn’t end there. Our Lord and Savior encouraged us to “take heart!” He said that He has overcome the world, and so we must believe it. Jesus did not shy away from telling His followers and us modern-day Christians about the problems and challenges that we would face. Jesus gave an advance warning in Matthew 10:22-23, John 15:18-21, and 2 Corinthians 2:15-16. Jesus warns us that the world would hate us. Although we might find the forecast of our Lord a bit grim, it was tempered with cheer and hope. The prediction of trouble and persecution was then followed by glittering words of encouragement.

The Great Encourager

Jesus Christ Himself is our Great Encourager. By fixing our eyes and hope on Him, we will realize that there is no trouble in this world that is greater than His love. Jesus alone is sufficient enough to make us feel merry and optimistic. Thinking about what He did for us should put a sparkling smile on our faces regardless of how terrible our troubles are. Remembering His promise to us that He’ll come back and wipe away all our tears (Revelation 21:4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”) should encourage us to press forward and fight the good fight of the faith (1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.). And because of this, we also need to encourage our brothers and sisters. All of us can experience bad patches in this lifetime, and so we must learn how to give words of encouragement to other people, just as Jesus Christ encouraged us.

1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses — What Does the Bible Say About Encouragement?

Ephesians 6:12 also tells us that “we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” There is a war inside and outside of us. And we all know how tiring these wars or battles are. It drains our energy and brings us to our knees. This verse should help us realize how indispensable encouragement is in our Christian lives. We are not only facing troubles and difficulties in this world but we are also caught in the crosshairs of a spiritual battle. Because of this, we are encouraged by God to be strong and put on His armor so that we will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil (Ephesians 6:10-18). How amazing is our God that He did not only give us words of encouragement but He also gave us full armor! And every piece of this armor helps us to be able to resist the enemy in a time of evil.

Encouraging One Another

To feel discouraged is not an uncommon human experience, even to us Christians. When we feel discouraged, it is imperative that we seek help from God and remain faithful to Him. Let us not give up but rather trust God and His power. This should boost and lift our spirits. Encouragement makes our lives a lot easier even if we are facing wars. The benefit of encouragement is that it gives us hope (Romans 15:4). It gives us more patience and helps us become victorious in times of discipline and testing (Hebrews 12:5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;).

And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; — What Does the Bible Say About Encouragement?

By encouraging one another, it is easier for us to sacrifice our own desires for the advancement of the Kingdom of God. Without encouragement, our Christian walk becomes burdensome, and we soon feel that the race that is set before us is pointless. Encouragement helps us become triumphant in life, and it helps us overcome pain and depression. Encouragement should make us feel loved. Let us always remind ourselves that our brothers and sisters in Christ exist to give us encouragement and that we also exist in order to give them encouragement. By having this kind of relationship with our fellow believers, facing trials and preventing burn-out becomes easy. Encouraging one another is a must since this helps us Christians to experience a joyful and abundant life in Christ (John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.).