Be an Encourager

…let us encourage one another…

Hebrews 10:24

I’m painting woodwork in my house—a wretched job that requires hours of labor.  My daughter, Ashley, came for several days to help. As we worked, she would occasionally say, “This is fun!” As for me, what began with excitement a few weeks ago has turned into a prayer—Lord, just help me finish! 

As Ashley was smoothing wood filler over a dent and making a doorframe look like new, she exclaimed, “I love puttying!” It’s satisfying to restore that which is damaged. A large dent requires numerous layers of filler to be built up and hidden. This process describes a believer’s privilege and responsibility. We are to build up other believers who have been damaged by life. How? By speaking to them words of truth, love, and encouragement.

We are called to be like Barnabas, whose name means Son of Encouragement. (Acts 4:36) His encouraging spirit is demonstrated in Acts 15. Mark had deserted Paul and Barnabas on a previous mission. As they prepared for the next mission, Barnabas wanted to take Mark along, but Paul refused. Paul’s noble focus was on the success of the Lord’s work, while Barnabas’ noble focus was upon building up his brother who had failed. 

Barnabas went one direction with Mark, while Paul went another direction with Silas. The end result was twofold—the gospel spread in two directions, and Mark was strengthened in his faith and ministry. Mark later became a help to Paul in his ministry (2 Timothy 4:11), and he also wrote the gospel that bears his name. 

Do you know someone who needs a second chance? How are you encouraging someone who has failed? How are you building up a believer in need? Just as a large dent in wood requires several layers of filler to be built up, so a person who has experienced deep hurt or failure needs layer upon layer of encouragement. Will you be the one who helps strengthen their faith?

Lord, shift my focus to someone who needs your words of encouragement today. 

Jan Burkhart