Encouragement

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)

I love this verse. In fact, I love the whole chapter of 1 Thessalonians 5. In it, Paul instructs us in right living, and he tells us to encourage one another, to lift each other up, to meet with each other. We are advised to be kind to one another and to make sure we are not paying back wrong with wrong. He paints an ideal picture of how Christians are to live, together in harmony, taking care of each other. I get all warm and fuzzy just thinking about it.

Then I look at how I really live. Wow, what a totally different picture. Did I just think that jealous thought when driving past that big new house? Did I just criticize that co-worker (behind her back) on how she did a project I would not even want to do myself? Did I just lose my temper with that other driver when they turned in front of me? Am I joyful for all the blessings I have, as verse 16 of chapter 5 instructs, or am I complaining about what I do not have? All these actions tear at me and they rip apart those around me. I am sure I have done all this and more, and probably just in the last day or two. Maybe not even that long. What about the things I did not do, that hold at least as much meaning? Have I told my pastor that I appreciated his sermon, or did I remain silent as I passed him in the hall at church? Have I spent some quality time with God, really listening to His voice, or do I just numbly read my Bible and move on with the day's work? Have I called my friend, just to see how she is doing? I know I am guilty of these, too. How important are these things? Are they just things I could do, for extra 'heaven' credit? If my motivation is just for myself and what I will get out of it, then I am missing the point entirely. I must be willing to honestly answer these simple but tough questions, not only to gauge my past behavior, but to influence my future thoughts and actions as well. I should remember that not only do I need encouragement from those around me, but I need to give it out, too. It is easy to slip into ungratefulness and to tear down those around me, but when I give encouragement to someone, I am reminded how effortless that really is, too, and it does not carry the guilt that goes with the destructive behavior. In fact, I usually get a boost from giving encouragement, making it even easier to do!

God, remind me that I am to lift people up, not tear them down. Show me new ways to encourage those around me. Amen.

Nikki Hamsher