When we encourage, it is taught that we are literally putting courage into someone. In scripture, the Encourager is someone who comes alongside of another and gives them comfort as well as strength. Encouragement itself nurtures patience and kindness as in as in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 –Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Encouragement is like water to our thirsty spirits as we walk in the journey of faith. We need the companionship of one another; to be lifted up by kind words, a listening heart and the gifts of time, patience and most especially gospel love. When we are compassionate during difficult times with one another it builds “muscles of courage” in one another that will strengthen the bonds of love. What are the muscles of courage? They are acts of bravery.
The Biblical definition of courage is defined as being motivated by the heart to do something brave. The Biblical definition of Encouragement is the act of giving hope. An Encourager, then is one that motivates others to have hope so that they are motivated from their hearts to be brave.
Got Questions.com describes that without encouragement, hardship becomes meaningless, and our will to go on wanes. The prophet Elijah struggled with discouragement (1 Kings 19:3-10), and so do we. It is important to remember that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against . . . the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12). This truth makes encouragement all the more important. It is not just that we face the world’s displeasure; we are caught in the crosshairs of a spiritual battle. When we are encouraged in Christ, we have strength to put on our spiritual armor and remain steadfast (see Ephesians 6:10-18).
Even in places where Christians do not experience overt persecution or hatred, we all know that life can be difficult. Discouragement is not an uncommon human experience. At times, recognizing that there is meaning in the seemingly inconsequential things we do seems next to impossible. We may want to give up. Yet He who calls us is faithful, and He gives us the power to be faithful, too (1 Corinthians 1:9).
Christian Quotes on Encouragement
“So never lose an opportunity of urging a practical beginning, however small, for it is wonderful how often in such matters the mustard-seed germinates and roots itself.” —Florence Nightingale
“Discernment is God’s call to intercession, never to faultfinding.”–Corrie Ten Bloom
“I would go to the deeps a hundred times to cheer a downcast spirit. It is good for me to have been afflicted, that I might know how to speak a word in season to one that is weary.”–Charles Spurgeon
“Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow.” —Helen Keller
“Believers, look up. Take courage. The angels are nearer than you think.” Billy Graham
“Honest and courageous people have very little to say about either their courage or their honesty.” Hosea Ballou
“There was a castle called Doubting Castle, the owner whereof was Giant Despair.” John Bunyan
“The principal act of courage is to endure and withstand dangers doggedly rather than to attack them.” Thomas Aquinas
“Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point.” —C.S. Lewis
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