Have you noticed in this day of economic paranoia just how much fun has been sucked out of our lives? Everywhere we turn the news is bad with little expectation of improvement. The other day I was standing in a line at Home Depot and a socially clueless customer kept telling dull jokes one after the other. In the gloomy row no one was laughing or smiling, even the jokester himself.
So what had really changed in our atmosphere? After all I was in the garden section filled with beautiful plants of every color and variety. Sun was shining and the temperature outside was still mild. There was no rain in the forecast. No bombs had exploded nearby. Airplanes could still be seen in the distance presumably following their set courses. Nearby highway traffic flowed in its normal reasonable fashion. So why did everyone seem so down in the dumps?
I think most of us realize that thoughts affect our moods but how often do we take responsibility for what we are thinking? It is so easy for idle thoughts to take us in a downward spiral when we fail to remind ourselves to think positively. But let’s face it, positive thinking alone can just take us so far. Most of us need a little help. John C. Maxwell says, “Remember, Man shall not live by bread alone; sometimes he needs a little buttering up.”
In the back of the New Testament, we find the tiny book of Philemon where Paul is speaking of his brother in the faith. Here Paul tells us that he often prays and is thankful for Philemon. What would prompt the great apostle Paul to take regular consistent time to thank God for and pray for Philemon? Simple, first Paul kept hearing about Philemon’s faithfulness to Jesus and second he had demonstrated a true love for all God’s people. Paul goes on to tell us in verse seven his love had brought Paul much joy and comfort. In fact Philemon’s kindness had somehow given refreshment to the hearts of God’s people. When friends and acquaintances leave our presence are they rejuvenated or exhausted?
WHY WE REFUSE TO USE THE GIFT?
In 2 Corinthians 1:4-7, Paul tells us that God comforts us in all our times of trouble so that we can comfort others. “When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.”
Without a doubt we have all been given comfort by God to encourage others but why do we refuse to use our gift of encouragement? How long does it really take to cheer-up, give confidence to, or support another person? What stops us from being an Encourager? First there is the reason of FEAR – What will people think? Will our motives be misconstrued or misunderstood. Second we FORGET. Our lives often become consumed with our personal needs and schedules causing us to often unconsciously forget the concerns and issues of others. Third, we can get LAZY. After all if we saw the needy person God must have laid them on someone else’s heart too right? Fourth we are sometimes SELF-ABSORBED and may not even care about the needs of others. We too often prefer to think and talk about ourselves. And finally the fifth reason could be DOUBT. We might doubt that people will believe what we say to encourage them. Worse yet we might even doubt the encouraging words we offer. Bennet Cerf shares an amusing illustration which makes this point. “Astronaut Edward White II made a lady author quite happy at a Houston reception; "M'am," he told her, "I was reading your book while in orbit --- and just couldn't put it down."
A SCRIPTURAL COMMAND TO ENCOURAGE:
Whatever justifiable reasons we might have for not encouraging others, we can’t reject the obvious command given in scripture. In 1 Thessalonians 5:14 Paul instructs, “And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” Isn’t it interesting how he links those who are idle, timid, weak and agitating as the very people we should be targeting to encourage? Ok, so we know we should be an encourager but why? Simple, encouragement provides mutual strengthening.
Romans 1:11-13 (New Living Translation) shows we get a double benefit. “For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. ”What's more, if we are giving the right encouragement it’s important to realize that our words have authority shouldn’t be minimized.
Titus 2:14-15 (New Living Translation)“He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds. You must teach these things and encourage the believers to do them. You have the authority to correct them when necessary, so don’t let anyone disregard what you say.”
Notice here that Paul is tying encouragement with teaching. He had already told his readers in Titus 1:9 that encouraging teaching should be something wholesome. In other words encouragement that makes the listener stronger, healthy, and well nourished. What’s more we should be offering this encouragement daily, (according to Hebrews 3:13, ) patiently in season and out of season, (2 Timothy 4:2). So in essence, encouraging words are always necessary and timely.
SILVER BOXES
Several years ago our family passed around a cassette tape of a inspirational message from Florence Littauer entitled, Silver Boxes. (If you would like to order the CD it is available at http://classervices.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/page3.html). I’d like to end this article with her poem entitled simply, Silver Boxes.
My words were harsh & hasty
And they came without a thought.
Then I saw the pain & anguish
That my bitter words had brought.
Bitter words that I had spoken
Made me think back through the past;
Of how many times I'd uttered
Biting words whose pain would last.
Then I wondered of the people
I had hurt by things I'd said;
All the ones I had discouraged
When I didn't use my head.
Then I thought about my own life
Of painful words I've heard;
And of the times I'd been discouraged
By a sharp and cruel word.
And now clearly I remember
All the things I might have done;
But, by a word I was discouraged
And they never were begun.
So, help my words be silver boxes,
Neatly wrapped up with a bow;
That I give to all so freely,
As through each day I gladly go.
Silver boxes full of treasure,
Precious gifts from above;
That all the people I encounter
Might have a box of love.
