There are many gifts of the spirit, some more commonly known than others (Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11). Some are the big miracle like gifts that most of us think of when people talk about spiritual gifts, like the prophesying, speaking in tongues, casting out of demons, and healing. But there are also some more simple gifts that you many not recognize as a spiritual gift and can be easily taken for granted, like the gifts of encouragement, or helps, the gifts of knowledge, discernment and wisdom. These gifts are important too and still serve a purpose in the body of Christ. But it's encouragement (Romans 12:8) in particular that I am thinking about today because I have discovered over these last two years that this is where my gifting seems to be. This, like all spiritual gifts, is all to God's glory.
I think we can all agree that everyone needs hope sometimes, everyone needs a little encouragement at times, something that helps us to keep pressing. This is especially true for those who have been left broken by the world, the people who have been deeply hurt and aren't sure if they can get up again. These are the people that need to know its okay to love and trust again the most. The broken and hurting need to know that they're not alone, that they never really were. These are the people that need to know someone cares and wants to see them happy again. These are the people that need to know that there are still helping hands in the world, that healing can happen, and that God has always cared for them. This is where the encouragers are needed and why this calling is important. Encouragers are used to keep the body strong and focused; but also to help lift and heal the broken.
I remember what it felt like to be broken, to not have hope, and also not to understand the hope found in our Lord Jesus. I know that dark lonely place where pain is our only familiar friend and it's because of this past that I now desire to share the hope I have found. I want to encourage others, I want to lift people up and show them how to get out. This is all why almost every post I have written for the better part of the last 2 years has been posted with the intent of helping the broken to heal in Yeshua. To encourage people to seek God and strengthen those who do. To show the broken and hurting that they aren't alone, that others understand their pain and that with the Lord it can be healed. That they are not who they were, that they do not have to be stuck in condemnation or pain, because Jesus can heal us and restore us, in Him we can be forgiven and made new. For those who do believe in Jesus my hope has been to show them that they aren't alone either, that by pushing through and continuing to seek God in the hard seasons that breakthrough can be achieved!
Not having a lot of encouragement before taught me that everyone needs encouragement sometimes. That the body needs more encouragers who will speak up and do what they were called to do, lift others in their weariness. People need to hear of the hope of a life in Jesus Christ, especially in the days to come as the world continually spins into more and more chaos. We need to express love in word and deed. Yes, some people are more skilled at encouraging than others, but you can still love others. You can still give an encouraging word, or a hug when it's needed. It doesn't have to be your gifting for you to operate in it with Christ in you, because it all comes from Him, all spiritual gifts come from the same Holy Spirit (1 Corinthian 12:4). So what was my point if you didn't get it? That encouragement, though a less often recognized gift, is still important. That encouragement serves a valuable service in the church body, and that we need more people to exercise this gifting, because we all need encouragement sometimes.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Hebrews 10:23-25
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near
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