Encouragement has been the focus of the Bible study my students and I have been working on.  We didn’t start out with that in mind but once we opened the Word to find direction on other issues, God led us back to the importance of encouraging one another.

God gives us a great example as David proclaims in Psalm 10:17a;  “You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; You encourage them, and You listen to their cry.”  God encourages us and He listens to our cries. He gives us the instruction throughout Scripture. Oh, that we could do as much for those around us each day.  

Here are just a few of the instructions and examples from God’s Word and a few current day ideas to help us follow His lead.  Take some time and look up the Scripture and be encouraged by His love for us.

Encourage fellow believers with letters and cards to strengthen and uplift.  Acts 15:32

Encourage, if you have the gift of encouragement as part of the Body of Christ, then BE an encourager.  Romans 12:8

Encourage the oppressed, the fatherless, the widows.  Look around, there are people closer than you might think, who need encouragement.   Isaiah 1:17

Encourage one another by reminding others that we will be with the Lord forever.  Amen!    1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Encourage each other as you continue to meet together and spur one another on toward love and good deeds.  Join in, go to church, get in a Bible study, and be part of the body of believers. Hebrews 10:24-25

Encouragement comes from the Scriptures which gives us hope and creates unity.  Stay in the Word, Christ is our hope and love of Him builds unity. Romans 15:4-5

Encouragement comes from the loving discipline of the Lord, because he disciplines those He loves. Hebrews 12:5

Encourage your leaders for even they need to be lifted up.  Even Paul needed encouragement! Leaders in all areas of our lives need encouragement.              Romans 1:11-12

Encourage friends instead of criticizing them when they are in trouble.  Think through what you say and how you say it. Job 16:4-5.

Encouragement takes time.  Set aside time to encourage those around you.  It really doesn’t take much time out of your day to lift the spirits of another.  Acts 20:1-2

Encourage others when the storms of life are at their peak.  Throw a life-jacket of kind words to those struggling with life’s trials.  Acts 27:22

Encouragement is like refreshment to your spirit.  Refresh someone! 1 Corinthians 16:18

Encourage, comfort and urge one another to live lives worthy of God.  Just take a second and remember what He did for you and me. 1 Thessalonians 2:12

Encourage others by your faith.  Believers and unbelievers watch us as we battle our trials, show them what faith in God can do.   1 Thessalonians 3:7

And the last one today, is the verse that has become the our junior high study’s  key verse; Encourage one another daily so we don’t get hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:13.  

Life is full of people that are easy to encourage and those who are no so easy.

If we can stay focused and keep our eyes open for opportunities to encourage the easy ones, we are less likely to let sin slip in and harden our hearts to the ‘not-so-easy’.  

As you were reading, did someone come to mind that you could encourage?  Maybe today would be a great day for you to be ‘refreshment to their spirit’.                           Be Encouraged!