MINISTRY OF ENCOURAGEMENT

“There is a strange sentence in one of the Psalms: “I will bridle my mouth” (39:1b). These are the words of a man sorely tempted to spread gloom and despair and discouragement. Yet he held himself in check, knowing that there was enough pessimism around, that he should rally the courage of those who felt down and out. That’s good advice. The world has its share of cynics and debunkers; it is longing for words of assurance and encouragement.

When will we ever learn? People don’t want to be put down; they are crying out to be lifted up.

What have you been choosing lately? The choice is ours: We can encourage or we can discourage. And it is so much better to encourage! Isn’t it sad that many people have it mixed up? They have turned it completely around. They think they are divinely ordained to point out all of the bad things, show us all the problems, underscore all the negatives.

…Why do we feel that we must spread gloom? It is so much more fun to lift people up than to tear them down…

One of the great personalities of the early church was Barnabas, which means “son of encouragement.” Barnabas was a significant leader because he lived out his name. He was an encourager. We in the church ought to be modern-day Barnabases – the sons and daughters of encouragement; people who listen, who care, who affirm; people who help and support one another; people who lift up and hold up and build up. The choice is ours. We can encourage or discourage!