Tag Archives: encouraging others

September 4, 2025 · 5:30 AM

Symbiotic Encouragement

There are at least three types of relationships we need to have in our lives. If you don’t have these, you need to make them. The first one is where I’m the encourager. There are certain people in my life that need encouragement when they call or want to meet. Then there are the people who encourage me when I need it. Finally, the most important one is the one where you mutually encourage each other. These relationships are symbiotic and benefit both parties involved. It’s important that you identify who fit into these categories in your life. We all need to both encourage others and to be encouraged.

David and Jonathan had the symbiotic type relationship. They loved each other dearly, looked out for each other and encouraged one another. They learned to put the other’s needs ahead of their own, thereby bringing value to each other. In 1 Samuel 23, Jonathan’s father Saul was chasing David to kill him. Saul wanted Jonathan to succeed him as king, nut Jonathan valued David more than the position. In verse 16 it says, “Jonathan went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God” (NLT). They then renewed their pact of encouragement to each other and Jonathan went home.

Who is that person in your life? Who is the one who comes running in your time of need? Who is it that when you both walk away from conversations you feel better? Chances are the two of you are intentional about your conversations and meetings. In Romans 1:12, Paul was looking forward to going to Rome to meet with the believers. He wrote, “When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.” Encouragement is born from intentionality. It doesn’t just happen. Be praying that you would be an encourager, that there would be someone in your life who encourages you and most importantly that you would find a person to share symbiotic encouragement with.

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Throwback Thursday is a feature I’m using to help build some margin into my schedule to pursue other ventures. Each Thursday I’ll be bringing you a previously written devotional that still speaks encouragement to us from God’s Word. 

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August 13, 2025 · 5:37 AM

Speaking Encouraging Words

I read a story of a pastor in Ukraine who was about to flee when the war broke out. As he was preparing to evacuate, he heard the Lord tell him to stay and serve the weary. He began each day seeking God for encouragement that he could give whoever the Lord brought. He then would open the doors of the church to whomever would come in. Soon he began making soup to feed the people who were stopping in. He listened to their stories, encouraged them through God’s Word and prayed with them. People said that he gave them hope to get through one more day. Through his obedience and encouragement, he changed the spiritual climate in his city.

In Acts 11, the Early Church in Antioch came under attack. Stephen had been one the first martyr of the faith and people were scared. Instead of going behind closed doors, the ones preaching began spreading the Gospel to the Gentiles too. The leaders in Jerusalem heard what was happening and they sent Barnabas to them. When he arrived, he saw what was going on and began encouraging everyone to stay true to their faith. He knew the believers and the preachers needed more help and went to find Paul to bring him to Antioch. God also used this son of encouragement to change the spiritual climate of a city.

Isaiah 50:4 says, “The Lord Yahweh has equipped me with the anointed, skillful tongue of a teacher — to know how to speak a timely word to the weary. Morning by morning, he awakens my heart. He opens my ears to hear his voice, to be trained to teach” (TPT). God is looking for people who will seek Him each morning to hear from Him so they can encourage the weary. He will give you the words to say and how to speak a word in season if you will yield to Him. We live in a world whose spiritual climate needs to be changed. Each of us can play our part through by listening to God and speaking the encouraging words He gives us.

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June 5, 2024 · 5:28 AM

The Power Of Encouragement

One of the things we have to be aware of are people who will deter us from accomplishing our God given dreams and calling. When you share the vision God has given you, there will be those who tell you that you aren’t qualified, you misheard God or will try to talk you out of it. You must protect the seed from people like this. Their words often sink in and echo in our minds causing doubt and inactivity. It’s important to keep moving beyond their discouragement so that you do what God called you to. On the other side of the coin, we must make sure we aren’t discouraging others from their God given plans. We must use discernment and wisdom in both scenarios.

In 1 Samuel 16, David was anointed to be the next king in front of his dad and brothers. In the next chapter, he was watching sheep while his older brothers were off to war. His dad gave him some food to take to them. When he showed up, God stirred something in him regarding Goliath. Verse 28 says, “But when David’s oldest brother, Eliab, heard David talking to the men, he was angry. ‘What are you doing around here anyway?’ he demanded. ‘What about those few sheep you’re supposed to be taking care of? I know about your pride and deceit. You just want to see the battle!’” (NLT) His own brother, who knew his calling as king, stood in the way of his destiny and discouraged him. However, David persisted and continued despite it. He led Israel to a great victory that day because he gave more weight to God’s words than someone else’s.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” Be an encourager when someone shares what God has called them to do. Build them up instead of trying to tear them down. Be a person who helps them on their way rather than the person who stand in their way. Also, look for people who will encourage you on your mission. Find people who will pray for you and lift you up. If you don’t find them right away, be like David and keep looking around until you do. Not everyone needs to know what God has planted in your heart. The encouragement you find from other believers will be like water for the seed. Be a person who waters the seeds in others and find those who will water yours with their words. If you’ve been discouraged and quit moving towards it, make today the day you decide to move past the discouragement and begin moving forward again.

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April 16, 2024 · 5:39 AM

Giving Good Words

I’ve had some interactions with famous people before. On one such occasion I met a famous christian singer who wrote and sang one of the anthems everyone would know. After the concert I waited in line to share a special memory one of their songs held for me and how it helped me in my time of need. When I told them, they had a blank stare back at me and said, “Yeah I get that all the time.” It made me feel very small honestly. Contrast that with a famous author I wrote to. One of their stories had me laughing and in tears on a plane ride and challenged me. I couldn’t wait to land to reach out. Within ten minutes, they emailed me back thanking me for sharing. They said, “There are millions of words you could have chosen to share this story with me. It looks like you found the right ones. Thank you for sharing.” I did a screenshot and sent to all my friends when I got that.

We sometimes forget how powerful our words are and their ability to make or break someone’s day. In the New Testament we read Paul’s letters to churches and to individuals like Timothy. In 2 Timothy 1:6-7, he encouraged Timothy to fan into flames his gifts and to remember that God doesn’t give us a spirit of fear. In Deuteronomy 31:7-8, Moses encouraged Joshua who was taking over the daunting task as leader of Israel. He told him to be strong and courageous, and reminded him that is the Lord who will go before him and give victory in the battles ahead. Another example is when Jesus was talking to the disciples giving them comfort on the night He would be betrayed. John 16:33 records Him saying, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (ESV). John remembered those words in his sorrow.

Proverbs 12:25 says, “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” You never truly know what someone is going through or the encouragement they need to get through the day. Speak encouragement to someone today. Give a good word to all you meet. Your words carry life or death in them the Bible says. We are life givers as Christians. Ask God to speak through you today to someone to say what they need to hear so they have fuel to keep fighting or to find peace in troubled times. You don’t have to know what they’re going through to speak a word in season as Isaiah says. You just need to be led by the Spirit and hear who needs encouragement and to hear the words He wants you to say. I’m sure you can think of times when someone’s words either crushed you or built you up. Give good words today and make someone’s day.

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May 24, 2022 · 5:36 AM

Symbiotic Encouragement

There are at least three types of relationships we need to have in our lives. If you don’t have these, you need to make them. The first one is where I’m the encourager. There are certain people in my life that need encouragement when they call or want to meet. Then there are the people who encourage me when I need it. Finally, the most important one is the one where you mutually encourage each other. These relationships are symbiotic and benefit both parties involved. It’s important that you identify who fit into these categories in your life. We all need to both encourage others and to be encouraged.

David and Jonathan had the symbiotic type relationship. They loved each other dearly, looked out for each other and encouraged one another. They learned to put the other’s needs ahead of their own, thereby bringing value to each other. In 1 Samuel 23, Jonathan’s father Saul was chasing David to kill him. Saul wanted Jonathan to succeed him as king, nut Jonathan valued David more than the position. In verse 16 it says, “Jonathan went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God” (NLT). They then renewed their pact of encouragement to each other and Jonathan went home.

Who is that person in your life? Who is the one who comes running in your time of need? Who is it that when you both walk away from conversations you feel better? Chances are the two of you are intentional about your conversations and meetings. In Romans 1:12, Paul was looking forward to going to Rome to meet with the believers. He wrote, “When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.” Encouragement is born from intentionality. It doesn’t just happen. Be praying that you would be an encourager, that there would be someone in your life who encourages you and most importantly that you would find a person to share symbiotic encouragement with.

Photo by Omar Lopez on Unsplash

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September 30, 2020 · 5:48 AM

Being Accountable

Accountability is a word we use a lot in church. We like to ask people if they have an accountability partner. Each of us should have someone who holds us accountable to help us keep from stumbling. The military uses accountability too. The leader needs to know where all their soldiers are at any given moment. For them, accountability isn’t just a top down approach, it’s also bottom up. If a soldier is not in their designated place of duty, they are failing in their duty to the chain of command. They could create chaos on the battlefield if they’re not where they’re supposed to be and doing what they’re supposed to be doing. Each individual soldier has assigned duties that must be done so that the whole achieves their goals. It’s important that soldiers are accountable up, down and horizontally in their chain of command.

When Cain killed Able and God called out to him about his brother’s whereabouts, he asked, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” In reality, we are. You and I are to be each other’s keeper in the Church. We’re to help each other man our stations, reach our potential, fulfill our calling and encourage each other to keep going when we get ready to give up. You are not just responsible for yourself as a Christian. Like a soldier, you’re to help your brother or sister when they need help, carry them when they need carrying and fight alongside them when they’re under attack. We must be vocal when we need help, get discouraged or feel like walking away from our duties. We each need to have someone we trust and are accountable to so that we help each other. Let’s not forget we are in a battle.

1 Thessalonians 5:14-15 says, “Get along among yourselves, each of you doing your part. Our counsel is that you warn the freeloaders to get a move on. Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs. And be careful that when you get on each other’s nerves you don’t snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out” (MSG). You are not just responsible for yourself. God has placed other believers around you for you to help and for them to help you. Accountability is what makes the Body of Christ function to its potential. Each of us need to do our own part and we need to be helping our fellow brothers and sisters stay on task to do theirs.

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June 16, 2020 · 6:03 AM

Choosing Right Words

In middle school, every day during lunch a group of us would sit at the same table with one goal in mind, make someone cry. We would spend the entire hour doing put down contests. Two of us would face off and trade put downs until one of us cried or ran out of out downs. I learned to develop thick skin and to have quick retorts. The down side of that is that I spent decades putting people down not understanding the power of my words. Because I had developed thick skin, I assumed everyone had the ability to prevent words from affecting them long term. I later learned the power of the tongue and how important it was to build people up instead of tearing them down.

Paul was a person who underwent a transformation. He thought he was pleasing God by tearing down Christians, but had the Damascus Road experience where Jesus changed him. Later, God chose he and Barnabas to work together to build people up. Barnabas’ name actually means, “Son of Encouragement”. How cool is that? He lived up to his name through encouraging Paul and others to reach their potential through spiritual growth. We don’t hear a whole lot about him, but we know that for a season, the two of these men challenged each other and the Early Church together. Their goal was to win people to Christ and to lead believers into spiritual maturity through their words.

Our goal is no different. Romans 14:19 says, “So then, let us pursue [with enthusiasm] the things which make for peace and the building up of one another [things which lead to spiritual growth]” (AMP). What words do you use when speaking with others? Are they building them up or are they tearing them down? Are you contentious or are you a peacemaker? God’s Word is clear. The power of life and death are in the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). We must choose our words carefully and use them to speak life and encourage growth. There are enough things in this world to bring division to us. Instead of focusing on those or letting them rule us, let’s look for commonalities and work to build each other up and unite ourselves together as one.

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May 6, 2020 · 5:56 AM

Creative Compassion

Throughout the last couple of millennia, Christianity has thrived in times of pandemics and plagues. While the world is full of fear from an unseen enemy, Christians have peace in knowing death is not the end. They know the words Jesus spoke, “Do not let your heart be troubled…Do unto others as you would have them do unto you…Love your neighbor as yourself.” They have then put those words into practice. There are stories of places where the plagues were killing everyone, but it was the Christians who tended to the sick without fear. They used times of global fear to show the love of Christ and to explain the hope of salvation while hearts were open to understanding and learning about God.

I believe today is no different. We should be on the frontlines of bringing hope and peace. We should be encouraging people rather than living in fear. These windows of opportunity only open so often and close as quickly as they open. 1 Peter 3:15 says, “If anyone asks about the hope living in you, always be ready to explain your faith” (TPT). It’s times like these that we should be helping, encouraging and sharing our faith. When we put others first, especially in crisis, they want to know why we are doing what we are doing. That’s when we share the hope we have. That’s when we tell them our lives are not our own.

Hebrews 10:24 says, “Discover creative ways to encourage others and to motivate them toward acts of compassion, doing beautiful works as expressions of love.” What creative things have you seen people doing for others lately? I’ve seen churches make masks to donate, care for widows, buy groceries for people out of work, offer drive through pantries and more. What can you do to bring hope and show compassion as an expression of God’s love? What has God put in your heart to do? Share it with others and encourage them to help you do it. This is our time to make a difference. This is our time to show others the peace they can have even in a crisis. Look for creative ways to encourage people being affected by this pandemic, and then go do it. You don’t need permission, you just need passion.

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November 13, 2018 · 5:52 AM

Active Duty

When God spoke to us about changing churches, we weren’t happy about it. At the new church we would come in late and leave early to avoid connecting with people. We did this for about nine months. Then the pastor reached out and wanted to go to lunch. At the lunch, he said, “I want you to know that I know you’re in our church. If you’re here to heal and want to move on, that’s fine. If you’re only here temporarily and want to move to another church, I can help you find one. If you’re going to stay here, let me know when you’re ready to get engaged. Whatever you and God decide, I’ll support.”

It was very impactful for me because he wasn’t just acknowledging I was there. He was calling me off of the sidelines and telling me that wherever I went I was going to have to get active again. When I was ready to get active again, I let him know. He had me meet with the executive pastor to see where I would fit best. He said, “We have a lot of places we could plug you into, but we want to find the right fit for you.” We met several times before finding a place. They were putting 1 Thessalonians 5:14 into practice.

It says, “We appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, to instruct those who are not in their place of battle. Be skilled at gently encouraging those who feel themselves inadequate. Be faithful to stand your ground. Help the weak to stand again. Be quick to demonstrate patience with everyone” (TPT). Each of us have a place on the battlefield with a job to do. At times, every one of us will feel inadequate and we need help standing. If you’re there now, surround yourself with those who will help you. If you see someone else in that place, reach out and help them. We are to help each other reach our potential and to do our part in the Kingdom work.

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September 4, 2018 · 5:21 AM

Building Others Up

When I was in the Fifth grade, lunch time consisted of a group of us who spent that time doing a put down contest. Every day we sat there with one person on one side of the table against a person from the other side. The two would trade put downs until one person ran out of them or someone cried. As kids, we had no idea how dangerous this exercise was. Words are more powerful than we realized. My fear is that some from that group have spent a life time putting others down constantly or worse, putting themselves down. So many people are constantly putting themselves down with their own words.

Jude 1:20 says, “But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith” (NLT). That’s a command to do the exact opposite of what we’ve been taught to do. We have to train ourselves to quit looking in the mirror and telling ourselves what’s wrong with us. We have to learn to quit saying what our limitations are and why we can’t do things. Building up involves talking about what you can do and what your qualities are. When you consistently tell yourself the qualities God has given you, you shift the talk track in your mind from negative to positive. You begin to build up rather than tear down.

We need to learn to do this for other people as well. Imagine if you had someone constantly telling you what’s right with you. That would affect your day and how you see yourself. So why not start it off today? Find someone and build them up today by telling them a God-given quality they have and why it’s important. Building each other up is part of God’s design for community. We all need to be reminded daily of the positive qualities we have and how they affect the world around us. Let’s quit putting ourselves and others down and begin to act the way God intended by building others up.

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