Radiance: The importance of Encouragement
- FaithLikeJasmine
- Jun 1
- 3 min read
If you read 1 Thessalonians 5:11 you can see clearly that God desires us to encourage one another - build one another up. We are to bring hope, joy, perseverance and faithfulness into each other's hearts and lives. To speak life and bring light to believers and nonbelievers.
Encouragement is simply inspiring, persuading, and spurring on. And unfortunately, we can be encouraged into bad habits and thought patterns as much as beneficial ones depending on to whom we are listening. We can exceed our circumstances because of a voice of encouragement in our ears.
If this is an area that doesn’t come naturally to you, that you fumble your way through, that’s okay. Do it anyway. You can learn and you can partner with the Holy Spirit. After all, if we can learn to pray, why can’t we learn to encourage?
“Pray for the Spirit’s wisdom and that he would provide the
good counsel of a well-timed word.
Depend on the Spirit to do the work of empowerment.
You are the messenger not the Spirit.”
-Lindsey Carlson, Gospel Coaltion
The well-timed word is important, because with someone who is hurting or grieving, there is a place and time. Go slow and be gracious. Encouragement is not about you.
Like any gift given to us from God, it is for someone else. Encouraging someone will be sacrificial, it will require something of you, and you need to have absolutely zero expectation of how it will be received. Be faithful to what God asks of you and let Him take care of the rest.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness..
Galatians 5:22
Who in your life needs to see or feel God’s radiant light, to be seen and built up? A friend or co-worker? Your pastor and his wife? What about your spouse or your kids? Ministry starts at home, so make sure you aren’t overlooking those in your own family.
“A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.”
1 Corinthians 12:7
Creative Ways to Encourage:
Sunshine:
someone or something
(such as a person, condition, or influence)
that radiates warmth, cheer, or happiness
Several years ago, I came across a brilliant idea called a Sunshine Box. They became increasingly popular during our pandemic here in the U.S. as a way for people to reach out to friends and loved ones they couldn’t be with. The essence of these gifts is that you cannot escape the cheerful YELLOW that is on everything.
I ran with the idea and we had a special women’s event at our church called the Sunshine Gift Exchange. Women created boxes and baskets of all variety of sizes and shapes, filling them with cheerful, bright - and sometimes delicious - items. Every woman went home with a different gift! They delighted in creating the gift almost more than receiving one. They also went home with a personal, handwritten note penned by one of our women’s team members. We wanted them to know that they were seen, known and wanted.
A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.
Proverbs 15:13
Want to pack a sunshine gift? These can get you started:
-snacks, lotion, candles, books, postcards, candy, notebook, scarf, blanket, canned drink, balloons, mug, flowers
Needing more encouragement ideas?
-ask if you can pray a blessing over someone
-give someone a surprise party for no particular reason
-actively listen well
-give a moving day package
-make seed bombs for your neighbors (great kid activity!)
So, no excuses. Find a way. Do more research. Dig into more scripture. The more you practice, the easier it will get. And chances are, the more you do it - relying on the Holy Spirit for wisdom - you will find your own burden lightening as well. You don’t have to feel happy or light in order to encourage. God can use you in the midst of seasons of doubt or struggle to lift up someone else.
As you radiate God’s hope out to others, it flows through you as well.
Drop a line in the comments and let me know your ways of encouraging others! We could all benefit from sharing ideas and experiences in this area. Whether it's taking out your neighbor's trash can for them, keeping your boss's favorite candy on hand, or following up with the young new mom - find ways to be that sunshine and lift one another up.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 tells us, "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."
Follow me on Instagram @faithlikejasmine through June to learn more ways you can creatively encourage others! Tune into the podcast to hear from other believers about encouragement in various seasons.
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