Seagulls sometimes use pelicans to help them catch fish. They sit on the backs of pelicans and try to steal fish that the pelicans bring up. That’s in the “using” category rather than the “helping” category, I guess. But the pelicans tolerate it.
We can do better. We can help our friends in their quests to catch fish.
I am thinking of encouragement.
Think about a time you were working on some hard thing. You might have become tired and discouraged. But then someone came along and noticed the work you were doing, admired it, and encouraged you. I bet you had a huge boast. And were energized to keep going.
I react that way too.
A few examples
“Hezekiah spoke encouragingly to all the Levites who showed good insight in the things of the Lord. He appointed military officers … and spoke encouragingly to them … He set the priests in their offices and encouraged them in the service of the house of the LORD” (2 Chronicles 30:22; 32:6; 35:2).
“Each one helps his neighbor and says to his brother, “Be strong!” So the craftsman encourages the smelter, and he who smooths metal with the hammer encourages him who beats the anvil, saying of the soldering, “It is good”; and he fastens it with nails, so that it will not totter” (Isaiah 41:6–7).
Commandment
Fundamentally, help comes from God. But we are commanded to encourage each other.
“Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
“We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone” (1 Thessalonians 5:14).
“But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:13).
Results
Encouragement is linked to:
Strengthening someone in action (Deuteronomy 1:38; 3:28; Isaiah 35:3-4; 41:6-7);
Hope (Romans 15:4; Hebrews 6:16-20);
Remaining true to the Lord (Acts 11:22-24);
Continuing in the faith (Acts 14:20-22);
Walking in a manner worthy of God (1 Thessalonians 2:10-12);
Building up one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
You matter
You matter in others’ lives. Resolve to encourage them.
Questions for you:
Think about a time you were encouraged by someone. What was your situation? How did you feel after you had been encouraged? Did being encouraged affect what you were doing? How?
Think about a time you encouraged someone else. Why did you encourage that person? What happened? How did you feel about it?
