Day 3 – The Power of Selfless Encouragement

January 23, 2021
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DAY 3: The Power of Selfless Encouragement

Read: 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Romans 15:5, Proverbs 11:25

Provided by Proverbs 31 Ministries © & Kia Stephens

A few days ago, I received an unexpected text from a friend. In her message, she said the universally dreaded words no one wants to hear: “I have cancer.”

I was shocked to read those words from her. It seemed so unfair. I wanted to rewind to just a few months ago when we casually chatted about family. Unfortunately, her words and her present journey were irreversible.

Before I finished reading her text, I purposed in my heart to offer some type of encouragement. I was prepared to plan a visit, bring a meal or do something. As I scrolled through her lengthy message, I was soon blindsided by the encouragement she offered to me.

We hadn’t spoken in months, and she was undergoing chemotherapy. Yet her focus was on me. Unbeknownst to her, she shared the very words I needed to hear at the exact time I needed to hear them. Rather than responding immediately, I just sat and sobbed, tremendously impacted by the love of God I saw in her. She offered selfless, thoughtful and kind encouragement to me.

This is the type of exhortation described in 1 Thessalonians 5:11. In Acts, we learn that Paul, together with his fellow laborers, wrote this letter to the people of Thessalonica after having been flogged, thrown into prison in Macedonia and forced out of Thessalonica. 

At a time when Paul could have been discouraged by persecution and nursing his emotional and physical wounds, he was instead concerned for the Thessalonian believers. He modelled the personal and heartfelt encouragement he wanted them to offer others.

This type of purposeful encouragement is vital for a believer’s faith, both individually and collectively. A commitment to encourage others like this challenges us all to selflessly lift the countenance of someone else — no matter what we might be facing ourselves. As we offer soul-deep encouragement to others, we can trust that God, in His sovereignty, will encourage us.

Reflect:

  • How have you been encouraged by others? Who might God want you to encourage, and how could you encourage them?

Pray:

Dear God, please help me to offer heartfelt encouragement to others no matter what I may be facing. Help me to trust that as I refresh others, I will be refreshed. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.