I Radically Encourage Others Daily
By Steve Backlund
One of the greatest spiritual gifts we can have is the gift of encouragement. I would rather be known as a great encourager than an intergalactic apostle.
Think about a man named Joses in the Bible. “And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus” (Acts 4:36). The apostles saw such a gift of encouragement on Joses that they called him the son of encouragement. Wow!
When we reflect on the impact of Barnabbas’ encouragement, it is very possible there would not have been an Apostle Paul without the encouragement of Barnabbas. “And when Saul (who would become Paul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles . . . “ (Acts 9:26-27).
Hebrews 10:24 is a powerful verse in taking our encouragement to another level. It urges us to "consider one another to stir up love and good works.” The question we ask in considering a person is, "What do I like about them?". As we identify a person's positive traits and tell them what we see, we help them understand more clearly their uniqueness and how God has gifted them.
Hebrews 10:25 goes on to say, “Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” One of the main reasons we fellowship as believers is to encourage one another. Churches that prioritize encouragement will have energized, overcoming, and influential people. Hebrews 10:25 also lets us know that we are to increase our encouragement (in quantity and quality) each week, each month, and each year.
How Do We Radically Encourage?
Increase the Quantity of Encouragement: Speak into lives more. Find creative ways to do it. In this hour, we have more ways of doing this than ever before: phone calls, texting, emails, voice messages, video messages, and more.
Increase the Quality of our Encouragement: Learn to prophesy. It is the spiritual gift to be most desired (1 Corinthians 14:1). Prophetic ministry helps people recognize their true biblical identity, what they were created for, and helps deliver people from getting their beliefs from their experience rather than what God has said. (Please note: New Testament prophecy is encouraging and builds people up - see 1 Corinthians 14:3).
Want to learn to prophesy? Become the most encouraging person you know and ask the Holy Spirit to align your encouragement with His. Immerse yourself in biblical promises so your words are infused with them. As you share with others, you will receive confirmation you are on the right track by their response to you.
Who Needs Encouragement?
Start with your family. When you walk through the front door of your house, remember your real ministry starts there. It can feel hard to do this because families often have things we wish were different, but the tendency to withdraw our hearts from people who disappoint us blocks us from being a part of the solution. Be part of the solution by encouraging your family.
But don't stop there! Encourage your friends. Make it a goal to never leave a meeting or time of connection without encouraging somebody - either giving them a prophetic word or just telling them specifically what you appreciate about them. And, finally, remember, the most important person we encourage is ourselves.
“I radically encourage others daily!” Why don’t you say this out loud right now. Your encouragement will make a difference in so many lives. And, as you encourage others, it will be easier to stay encouraged yourself.