Build Each Other Up
You know, I dislike election years. It is so discouraging seeing politicians going after each other. It is like watching a really bad reality TV show. There is so much unwholesome talk that is meant to bring others down that it just annoys me, and I realize it is annoying because it is unloving and unrighteous.
We as Christians should strive to be different than the rest of the world, and one characteristic that can set us apart, is becoming an encourager to others. To not allow any “unwholesome word proceed from [our mouths], but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear” (Eph 4:29).
When we open ourselves to interacting with others in an encouraging way, we have to be willing to think more highly of the other person than ourselves (Phil 2:3). This is not a natural human characteristic. An encourager, lifts people up, they do not tear them down. They speak well of others and do not gossip behind people’s backs. They help people look on the “bright side of life.”
I benefit greatly from having people in my life who are encouragers. When I am having a big pity party, my encouragers don’t join in and party with me. No, they guide me out of the party hall and into peaceful bright places. They speak to me in such a way that it builds me up, giving me grace as I listen.
Remember, we are to be there for each other, because:
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken (Eccl 4:9-12).
Plus, when we encourage each other, and bear each others’ burdens we fulfill the law of Christ (Gal 6:2). Who of us wants to go through this life alone? I know that we have our Father and Christ, so we are never truly alone, but having someone there to help lift us up when we fall is so precious. It is like having Christ right there through the encourager.
Life is hard. We all face various trials. Like someone said, we are either about to go into a trial or we’re already in or coming out of a trial. Therefore, we need to grow the talent of encourager within us all, so that the body stays lifted up and willing to keep moving forward towards the Kingdom of God. If we don’t increase this talent we could end up losing our hope within ourselves, and a body without hope is a body without faith, and without faith we cannot please God (Heb 11:6). Encourage each other, “and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Heb 10:24-25). For, anxiety can weigh our hearts down, but an encouraging word can make our hearts glad (Prov 12:25), giving us sufficient fuel to keep tackling the trials.