Benefits of Encouragement

 By Rev. Dr. Emmanuel E James

Encouragement is a fascinating idea to think about and to pursue. We need people who can encourage, cheer, support, and inspire us. Encouragement provides vitality, zeal, joy, peace, and contentment. Encouragement gives us satisfaction for the past, positive attitude to face the present, and trust God for the future.  It is gratitude for the blessings received, for the opportunities of today, security and strength for tomorrow.  It is awareness of the presence of God, concern for the needs of our fellow human beings and belief in the promises and power of God’s Word.

The Bible has much to say about the benefits of encouragement. Jesus was a great encourager when He ministered on the earth. He always blessed and encouraged people who came to Him. He encouraged Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman, blind Bartimaeus and gave his eyesight (Mark 10:51-52), and encouraged Jairus even when his daughter died. Jesus said to him, "Do not be afraid; only believe" (Mark 5:36). He went to his house and brought her back to life. Moving from town to town, down the dusty roads and by the shining waters of the Sea of Galilee, in the pillared courts of the Temple, or as He rested by the roadside, it was naturally, simply and almost informally Jesus wrought His works of mercy, spoke words of love and encouragement and drew the world to Himself.  We cannot fathom the depth and breadth of the benefits of His encouragement in the lives of millions and billions of people all over the world. What a beneficial life of encouragement was His? He is still the great encourager for us. We all benefit by the benefits of His encouragement.

Another great example of encouragement was Barnabas. His name means “son of encouragement” and the Lord had given him a ministry of encouragement.  He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.  When Saul of Tarsus was converted he was not welcomed by believers. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to seek Saul, found him, brought him to Antioch. Barnabas took Paul to Jerusalem, and took him to the apostles and attested to his sincerity (Acts 9:27). The benefit of this ministry of encouragement was that Paul became a great teacher, preacher, evangelist, missionary, church planter and writer. He wrote 13 of the 27 books in the New Testament.  God used him as a great instrument in His hand to help the early Church develop its strategy of evangelizing, formulating its theology and several other things. What a benefit for the Church for more than 2000 years because in the time of need in Paul’s life, Barnabas encouraged him.

Today we need people who can encourage, cheer, support and inspire us like Jesus. Encouraging others never goes waste. Do not get tired of encouraging people in the time of their need of assistance, help, cheer, support, persuasion and inspiration for in due course of time you will reap the fruits of your noble work. Paul said, “So don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time. Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone, especially to our Christian brothers and sisters” (Gal 6:9-10 NLT).

We will reap the harvest of blessings and rewards for our ministry of encouragement on the Day of Judgment.  Jesus declares, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord” (Matt 25:21). Jesus will say further, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matt. 25:40”.  If anything is excellent or praiseworthy let us encourage one another and become instruments of benefits for each other.