When my children were first learning to ride a bicycle, I recall running alongside them, speaking encouraging words, ready to catch them should they lose their balance. Eventually they would learn to ride on their own, at first somewhat wobbly, but then with growing confidence. Soon they were racing along with triumph and glee, waving and shouting at me. They were bicycle riders on their own.
This is an image of what it is like to be an encourager and to give encouraging words. It is, in fact, an apt image based upon the New Testament Greek word for the same. In Greek the word for encourage is one of the many 'para' words. My English dictionary tells me that 'para' attached to some other word means beside, near or alongside. In the case of the Greek, para is attached to their verb to call. In fact, our word 'call' is the very same as their 'kalleoo', we using a 'c' rather than a 'k'. So together the complex word means to call alongside.
With that bit of not entirely incomprehensible nonsense, I'm urging you to conclude with me that to encourage another is to get alongside him and call at-a-boys and you-can-do-it words, along with the promise that you will be with him as long as he needs you or until he can make it on his own.
The Bible adds one more dimension, however. It adds words of faith. So if I am to be a complete encourager I will not only promise to be with you, I will also remind you that our Lord and Master has promised never to stay alongside as well. I will bring to mind words Jesus spoke to His fearful disciples after He had revealed to them the fact of His imminent death. Listen, learn and be encouraged yourself.
". . . you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
". . . in the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world" (John 16:16-33).
And finally, just before his ascension, he said, "I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20).
Thanks for the blog on encouraging. I am grateful to all who have encouraged me through life, especially God's people. THE GREAT encourager is The Paraclete, the Holy SPIRIT, whom Jesus sends to His people through His Word. The best ways for us to encourage others is to direct them to Jesus and His Word. The Real Encourager takes our witness into the hearts of people and empowers them to keep on in the faith. He gets the credit. Luther speaks about this Encourager in his explanation to the third article of the Creed. . H.
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