“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
Little verse, big impact… Does this describe your friend group? Just prior to this verse, Paul says that we are destined to live with Jesus, and THAT is why we encourage each other… This indicates that the encouragement offered is substantial. Not trivial surface compliments but reminding others that Jesus loves them and their destiny is secure. Speaking real value into them, pointing out their spiritual gifts, and helping them not to be distracted by the cheap trinkets and awards offered by this world.
So, let’s consider what percentage of the words you speak today fall into that category? How much of what leaves your mouth will be intended to encourage and build up someone else?
I recently attended a buddies retirement celebration and many people stood up and encouraged my friend, and it was a wonderful event… but why do we wait until retirement? Why as Christians don’t we do this daily? This verse doesn’t seem to be a suggestion. It seems more like a directive. What if quarterly, you and your friends met for dinner and designated that time to intentionally encourage and build each other up? This verse indicates that the Thessalonians were doing things like that, and Paul tells them to keep up the great work.
This is definitely not the pattern we follow today. We instead tear each other down “in jest” or offer shallow compliments that lack substance. So let me challenge you to obey this little verse today, on purpose.
Plan a “celebration” of one of your friends …Get some buddies together and build that person up. Tell them what you appreciate about them; tell stories about the great times you have had… tell them how they have impacted your life, bring some pictures of the fun times you have shared…. basically, tell them you love them, and then tell them why.
It might feel a little weird, but what is weird is that we usually wait to do this until a funeral, or retirement, or someone is moving away… why? That makes no sense. Do it now… If you commit to obeying this verse, the only person who will be blessed more than the friend you are encouraging will be you.
“Words give life; words bring death—you choose.” George Herbert Mead
What a beautifully written and uplifting post. Your words are a powerful reminder of how much we need one another—especially in a world that can often feel isolating and heavy. Encouragement is such a simple act, yet it carries the ability to restore hope, strengthen faith, and remind people that they are seen and valued.
ReplyDeleteI was especially moved by the way you highlighted the intentionality behind encouragement—not just as kind words, but as a reflection of love in action. It challenges me to be more mindful in how I speak to others and to look for opportunities to build people up daily.
Thanks, Barbie… You actually just lived out the devo 😉… Your kind words are much appreciated
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