“Barnabas . . was glad and encouraged them all.” Acts 11:23 NIV
“When you encourage others, you are doing the work of God.”
My thoughts today are about “words of encouragement.”
It’s pretty simple, obvious really; you can’t give something to others unless it is first real in you. Out of your own experience, you best help others. Remember a time when you faced something unfamiliar and a friend who had walked there before showed you the right path? They were sharing what they had, and you became the beneficiary.
You probably don’t recognize the name, “Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus,” but you probably will know the name others soon called him – “Barnabas, son of encouragement.” Acts 4:36 NIV. Encouragement was not just what Barnabas did; encouragement was all about who Barnabas wanted to be, and who he became in the lives of others. That can be true of you also.
Encouragement was both his character and his lifestyle. He encouraged the church to receive the recent convert, Saul. Acts 9:26-28. He encouraged Saul to join him in the revival at Antioch. Acts 11:25-26. He encouraged young John Mark, giving him a second chance and including him, when Paul would not. Acts 15:36-39. I have received second chances many times, and was encouraged to do better.
The incident when Barnabas was sent to encourage the new converts in Antioch evidenced his much deserved reputation. “The Church at Jerusalem . . sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith.” Acts 11:22-24 NIV.
Did you notice a sequence? “He was glad.” He was encouraged by the new life and sincere faith he found, and so he encouraged the new believers in what they were doing and how well they were doing so. “He encouraged them!” He gave them inner courage and confidence to continue in a job well done. Have you ever needed that, and receiving it made all the difference in your energy and persistence to continue? Are you being that point of encouragement to someone?
I would suggest that Barnabas, true to his nature, came expecting to find something for which to encourage these new believers. If they were anything like you or me, there were probably numerous things that could have been better, various things that could have been accurately critiqued. He wasn’t looking for those things; Barnabas was looking for whatever good things he could affirm and reinforce to encourage their continuing growth. The best way to correct the things that lack is to encourage a person who is trying to do better.
I have observed that people usually find what you are looking for. If you are looking for things to correct, you can find them. Look for things to commend; you can find plenty of those as well. People are usually better at the first of those two. “May our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 NIV. When you encourage others, you are doing the work of God. See Romans 15:4-8 NIV.
My prayer for you today is that you learn the skill of encouraging others.