encourage one another
as you may know i teach a bible study on the New Testament book of Philippians on sundays 9:30am (also online here)In preparing for last sunday, I was reading Phil 1:20 and was struck with how important it is to encourage each other. There is a lot that can make us afraid or feel weak in this life, but encouragement literally means to put courage into someone. How neat is it that we can do that for eachother?! The fact that we can to me means that we should. But on top of that the Bible talks, all over the place, about being one who gives courage to others...So, I meant to really drive the point home during the study on Sunday, but I blabbed too long, we ran short on time, and i forgot.
I was sortof mad at myself for forgetting because i believe that in these days we need each other's support more than ever so that we don't get weary and quit running the race (i know i do). I felt like i missed a great opportunity to express this truth.
But then 2 things happened that made me wonder if God didn't get this message across anyway. I received 2 emails already this week from people in the St. Matthew community (i'm not even sure that they come to the bible class i teach) who wanted to do nothing but encourage me.
how cool is God? He is always moving, teaching us, nudging us to action for the good of his work in the world. This little thing shows me again that God really does know our needs and provides for them (he really does give us this day our daily bread)
but i wanted to stress again how important that we cheer one another on. So here's a challenge this week. Even if you don't feel like a particularly "encouraging" person, try to become an encourager (think Paula Abdul on American Idol!) find ways to cheer on your parents or your spouse- your siblings or your kids, clap a little for your coworkers and "put courage in them" to live for God this week.
I wonder how many people today are on the verge of losing heart, of throwing in the towel. not to sound too "chicken soup for the soul"-ish but YOU may be the one who can keep them going on. So don't be afraid to be a giver of courage. And let me know how it goes if you take the challenge.
posted by Dion @ 1/17/2006 11:55:00 AM
4 Comments
4 Comments:
I generally feel fake for giving encouragement.
It feels like I'm belittling or patronizing, or other times I just do it to hear something good back...
[Broken here - need a tune up!] Suggestions?!
To move forward in the direction you suggest... the Bible Study is totally wicked and if you keep blabbing like on Sunday then just double the length of the series! You do a great job putting the human context on Paul and it is extremely helpful to get a connection to him and be encouraged all the more! Thank you for that!
fake giving encouragment...hmmm. I think it can feel uncomfortable for me sometimes, but i think that like Matt suggests, it's because we're out of practice.
no matter how cheesy it sounds or how condescending you feel it comes across, most people are hungry for it and will be elated to have some tossed their way.
I'd say just try to encourage very often and you'll eventually find your own "encouraging voice" that sounds natural to you, even if it included workds like "friggin" and "Schaweet" :)
I think sometimes our other problem is the pressure we feel to encourage in a "theologically correct" way. You know, we give thanks to God for his work thru someone, because after all we can't do anything good on our own, so we find ourselves thanking someone for God doing something and then we end up all tongue tied and confused who we are encouraging that we just go mute because we're so flustered.
I don't think God is offended when we try to put hope into people's lives. Or when we acknowledge for someone's participation in God's work. Even if it's mostly God who is doing the stuff, people still need to be applauded for trying to live the life. There are plenty of voices encouraging them to do other things that are contrary to the good ways of God... we all need voices encouraging us to go the harder but better way... make sense?
Can just being polite count? :)
No seriously, I think it is a part of the "C" factor.
True, I was getting tired and so I posted a whimpy comment...
I agree that encouraging is much more than politeness.
I've just experience so much encouragement masked as manipulation that I'm really not comfortable receiving it. Or, overcompensating for it, I get a big head... so I'm pretty messed up in the acceptance department and think that's what other people imagine when I go above the polite comment into the encouragement zone...
Also is the other matter of encouragement: RELATING TO THE PERSON. That is probably my hardest thing. I've been told time and again (and have experienced those fun "duh" moments) that I just don't think like most people think. That's not elitism, 'cause I wish I thought more like others so that I could RELATE easier. That is rather difficult for me, I'm always active analzying their body language, gestures, and then words. Myself, I'm very LITERAL, regardless of what my body is doing...
My difficulty is feeling genuine, relaying genuine encouragement, and connecting that comment to a true need through relationship.
So here's a formula:
Encouraging = Kind Words + Personal Relevance
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