Be Encouraged

As a Christian, I know that it is my role to be the one who encourages. I am to serve others knowing that I am doing the work of God. I am to give of myself to ensure that others are taken care of. But, I too need to be encouraged.

I have seen too often in society that the Christians are vilified for standing up. We are looked upon as though somehow in order to be a Christian, we are to simply be quiet and pray. We are to only give and care for others. And, when we do not, for whatever reason, we are treated as though we are somehow in the wrong. We are in a position of adversity no matter the situation. We need to be encouraged, if at minimum, to continue the work. Paul, understood this and in his letter to the Romans, expressed that he draws on the encouragement of others to continue his work for the Lord.

“¹¹For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— ¹²that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. ¹³I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles.” — Romans 1:11-13 (ESV)

Paul was doing the work of Christ in every corner of every place that he went. He brought encouragement and teaching and love. Here in his letter, he clearly states that he needs some too. He indicates that seeing and interacting with fellow Christians brings him comfort and energy. He feels the love and acceptance and warmth of brothers and sisters in Christ. He is able to be encouraged by those that are seemingly in need of encouragement.

I know that when I am doing work and witness growth and learning in others, I am given energy to continue with the work to see more of it. I have heard and use the saying, “if see something you like, recognize it and you will see more of it”. I do not know where it specifically came from, but here I want to relate it to the encouragement I get from others. When I am in an environment where I gain encouragement through the growth and learning of others, that is the something I like and I have to recognize it and take that into the next. By recognizing, I am energized to see it again and again and again. That encouragement drives me to continue.

I have to remember to be encouraged, not through the recognition of others, but through the fellowship and opportunities to see growth in others. It is the growth in Christ that gives me energy. It is the encouraging of others and recognizing their positive response that encourages me to continue doing more of the same.

What encourages you? Are you so caught up in being the one that encourages and it is lost as to the reason you are doing the work? What if you took the opportunity while encouraging others to recognize the encouragement you are receiving in return for the growth and learning of those you encourage?