Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
ROMANS 14:19
In the verse above, along with many other passages in the Bible, we Christians have been told to encourage each other. Encouragement means, according to the Word Web Dictionary program: the act of giving hope or support to someone. Fulfilling that definition would be very difficult, to give hope is hard in this world that is hopeless, and to support someone in the way meant is against human nature.
Encouragement is positive, but positivity is not encouragement. A positive person has a good attitude, but no way to pass it on. Encouragement is the hand by which we gift others with hope (positivity), and that hope can only be Jesus.
In this translation, the KJV, Romans 14:19 says to edify each other. I like this translation of that word. To edify means, literally, to build up and enlighten. That is exciting to me; we don't just encourage one another, but build each other up too! Block by block we can encourage everyone around us.
Not only constructing, but enlightening is also a part of our jobs. We can enlighten those in darkness, by offering them comfort, help, or even just presence. All of those things can encourage someone and brighten their day.
Go construct hope, even if you can only give a pebble.
P.S. I now have a new blog up. It is Warning: Man on Fire for Christ, and is for my more personal thoughts on things or whatever else I just feel like writing about.
3 comments:
Zac, I find the greatest consolation and encouragement from someone just "being there" with me when I'm in the dark abyss. I love what you said about sometimes it is just our "presence" we need to give. And it goes hand in hand with what you are saying about giving away Jesus. When we abide in Jesus and we are with another person who is discouraged, then His presence is the presence felt as we seek to comfort with wordless availability.
I don't know if you've ever listened to Bebo Norman, he is one of my favorite singers. He has a song on his CD "TRY" entitled Borrow Mine. That song meant so much to me when I first lost my son. I had no hope, other than seeing him again in heaven, but at the time--that seemed like so far away. I listened to that CD over and over and over again.
great post. selahV
Hey Zach,
Thanks for the comment! I am glad that you enjoyed the audio of "The Greatest Apologist." It is good to see that you are blogging again!
God bless,
Matt
Good post, Zachary. I appreciated the explanation of, "Encouragement is positive, but positivity is not encouragement" etc. Thanks!
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