Blackaby’s devotional described exactly the kind of person I love to be around –
“Some people know just what to say and do to encourage others who are going through difficult times. Their words give strength to those who are discouraged and comfort to those who are grieving. These people are sensitive to God’s voice. They are welcome visitors when we are in distress, for their presence sustains us.”
What they have, and what we love to experience from them, is the Gift of Encouragement.
Yeah, I hear some of you out there murmuring – ‘but I’m an introvert and don’t like to talk that much’ / ‘I just don’t know what to say or do so I feel uncomfortable’ / ‘I’m just not a butt-in-ski, I mind my own business’. Sound kind of like ‘excuses’ to me. Just sayin’.
Here is the good news, as delivered by Blackaby. Scripture testifies of many whom God enabled to encourage others. Yep, you can just turn this over to God – and that does NOT mean you just mumble “I’ll say a prayer for you” and walk away. Unless, of course, that is what you perceive God is directing you to do because it is truly needed.
Maybe some examples would be helpful – I would like them since I have been at that uncomfortable place at times when I am just perplexed about how to respond to someone in difficult situations.
Take Moses – he was trying to be a fair judge for the Israelites and he obviously took his work seriously making some pretty heavy duty decisions (2 mothers arguing over baby – remember?). But the lines waiting to be heard by him were long and people stood around from morning until evening waiting for his attention. It was Moses’ father-in-law who stepped in – he realized Moses was overwhelmed by the work so he went to him and encouraged him giving him wise counsel to ease his strain. (Exodus 18)
And then there was Paul who was in prison separated by great distance from those who loved him. Blackaby reminds us that Epaphroditus risked his health and safety in order to go to Paul and minister to him. Later, Paul urged Timothy to come and visit him because Paul found strength and encouragement in Timothy. (2 Timothy 4) Add Mark to that list, the kind of friend Paul needed when he was enduring hardship so Paul asked Timothy to bring Mark. In addition, Paul relied on Luke who at times was present with him when everyone else was absent or preoccupied.
Blackaby’s point was that Paul experienced trials and imprisonment, stonings and really severe treatment for the gospel he preached throughout his later life, but God sustained him by placing godly friends around him who provided support in practical and sacrificial ways.
True, Epaphroditus, Timothy and the others who ministered to Paul were sacrificial in their serving of Paul. But you really don’t have to do much sometimes to really bless someone.
I remember a chance we had to help friends who had a terrible tragedy – he was struck by a car while biking back east where they lived. Terrible brain impact and damage was the result – but within a year, he was accepted by Craig Hospital’s brain injury program in Denver, where their daughter and family lived.
We heard of their need for transportation to and from the airport for which we volunteered. Our friend was a mere shell of himself, in a wheelchair and his bright personality was totally gone. He needed assistance every moment of his day – walking, communicating, understanding what was happening.
But the deeper assistance we were able to give was to offer our 2nd car (a van) to the wife for the months they were in the program. That way she could get away independently and have some time of rest for herself, not dependent on others for transport. She could not thank us enough at the end of their time – it had been even more of a blessing than we had realized when we offered it. And honestly, it was not that much of a hardship for us – we just needed to be in tune with what the Lord was directing.
An author once asked me to read and give her feedback on a book she wrote. I loved it – Swim the Lake Before You Row the Boat. The subtitle was Awaken a Boy’s Success Mindset, Unleash His Confidence and Give Him the Foundation for a Great Life.
And the book lived up to that subtitle. This true story was set in a summer camp run by 2 friends who were coaches. They focused on transforming young boys into successful husbands, fathers, businessmen and community leaders. Their unique confidence-building approach transformed thousands of lives.
The crown jewel I remember from the book was the reunion of campers many years later as grown men – they showed up proudly wearing their earned badges on a felt strip that no longer draped loosely over their body, with well-worn notes of encouragement still folded and carried in their wallets, and a whole passel of stories to re-live and share illustrating the positive impact on their lives.
I bet you can think of many along the way in your life who encouraged, supported and loved on you – I sure can! Did you realize how this fits into God’s plan?
Blackaby’s summary is a challenge to us today – “God wants to develop you into the kind of friend who can strengthen others and bring comfort and encouragement to your family, your friends, your neighbors, and your coworkers.”
Of course, we are moving into the “gift-giving” season – but when we are talking about the BEST gift, the gift of encouragement and support, especially when someone is in need, this is not a difficult gift to give. A note, a recognition, just sitting and listening, paying attention to where the Lord is directing you to serve – you will find yourself as joyful as the recipient, I promise.
May we all “tune in” to where the Lord is directing us – we can ALL have the BEST gift for someone.
