“But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called ‘Today,’ so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” Hebrews 3:13

When was the last time you felt meaningfully encouraged by another believer?

Some of us may be able to easily remember a recent experience; others may struggle to remember a specific moment we felt encouraged. Some will feel they have experienced Godly encouragement when they haven’t; others will feel they have not experienced Godly encouragement when they actually have. How do we know the difference?

Encouragement today is often worldly, words that offer empty praise, meaningless comfort or false affirmation. Things like:

• “You did a great job on that project.”
• “Everything’s going to be okay.”
• “Of course you were the right one in that argument”

These types of encouragement aren’t necessarily wrong or bad, but as Christians, we should seek to offer something more.

Biblical encouragement, while it does affirm or encourage, offers something far stronger. Real Biblical encouragement cultivates humility, builds courage, and, above all, strengthens our hope in God. Worldly encouragement justifies, Biblical encouragement inspires. Biblical encouragement is not about making others feel better about themselves, but preparing them to know, obey, and enjoy more of God.

God commanded that his people encourage each other because he knows we need it. Jesus warned in John 16:33 “in this world you will have trouble,” which He then followed with a much-needed encouragement: “But take heart; I have overcome the world”

By looking at examples in scripture, I find three things I believe Biblical encouragement should do:

• TELL THE TRUTH-true encouragement speaks the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15)
• AIM AT OBEDIENCE-true encouragement calls for obedience to God. (Joshua 1:7)
• STRENGTHEN HOPE IN GOD-true encouragement strengthens hope in God, not in self. (Isaiah 41:10)

Scripture also gives us examples of four things Biblical encouragement should look like:

• AFFIRMATION-for those who do not see their value and potential as God sees it (John 1:41-42)
• PRAISE-for those who are stepping out in faith (1 Thessalonians 1:2-8)
• CONSOLATION-for those who have had their world “rocked” (1 Thessalonians 5:14)
• EXHORTATION-for those who are tempted to give less than their best (Hebrews 12:11-13)

To develop any new skill, you need to practice, being an encourager is no different. Don’t wait until it feels natural—practice until it feels natural!

We live in a broken world that wears us down. Sin steals our joy, our bodies break down, our plans fail, our dreams die, our resolve weakens, our perspective dims. Knowing this, as sisters in Christ, why do we not seek daily to encourage one another. Step out in faith and make it your goal to encourage someone every single day and experience the blessings of being used by God in this way.

Your Heart Sister,

Mikki 💜