Everyone needs encouragement
Everyone needs encouragement
There’s no doubt that people need encouragement. Just ask any counsellor or Pastor who deals with people, and you’ll get the same answer. There are many hurt people who have nowhere to turn, or no friend to talk to.
What about those who carry inside themselves hurt feelings or guilt or fears that they don’t share with others? I’m sure there are many like that who keep those feelings to themselves and don’t want to talk about them. All around us there are people who are crushed by life and have nowhere to turn. Their marriage is falling apart or their financial affairs are in a mess and they’re worried about their kids. Maybe their health is in jeopardy with some bad news from their doctor.
We Need to Belong
That’s why it’s so important to be an encourager and lend a hand. God made us to mix with others. You were made for this connection, and there is a universal need to belong somewhere. From the moment we’re born, we long for the warmth of love and acceptance from others. In the Bible we read Proverbs 17:22 (NLT) which says, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength“.
Maybe that’s how you feel today, and you’re very discouraged, unable to smile about life. That’s the time you need someone to come alongside and bring encouragement, and that’s when the church is so important. Church is different to other organisations, because you can be yourself and find encouragement from like-minded people.
A lot of people don’t understand what Christianity is all about. It’s about relationships with God and with other people—we read in the Gospel of Matthew:
Jesus replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important, Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39 -NLT).
We Must Encourage Each Other
Why is encouragement so important? Because the Bible says we must offer that to others. Hebrews 10:25 (NLT) says: “Let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near.” Eternity is at stake here, because Jesus will return and he will ask, Did you offer help and encouragement to my people?.
Come and visit us this Sunday at 4pm at Harrison Street Community Church, Whanganui and you certainly will be encouraged at our Community meal.
Pastor Phil
Whanganui
