The Power of Encouragement

Upon returning home from church one Sunday morning a woman discovered that her elderly neighbor’s newspaper had not been taken in. So she went to the door to check on her. The neighbor came to the door in her robe, looking somewhat frazzled. After asking, “Are you OK?” the woman discovered that her neighbor had become despondent. So she invited herself in to learn more about the situation. The conversation was one-sided as the neighbor confided, “I don’t know why I am still here at my age. I‘m not sure how much longer I can put up with the aches and pains of aging. I feel so lonely most of the time, I don’t know what to do with myself.” Now if you were her neighbor, what would you say?

In his autobiography, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale tells of one of the most important lessons he ever learned. It was from his fifth grade teacher who would write the word “CAN’T” on the black board in large letters. Then the teacher would turn to his students and ask them, “What shall I do now?” Together they would reply, “Knock the “t” off the “can’t!” Dr. Peale never forgot that lesson. Years later when he became a famous pastor, he would often encourage his congregation by saying. “You can if you think you can!” His “power of positive thinking” was the foundation of his ministry of encouragement.

Life does become difficult at times, but in such times, as a people of faith we should live our lives with hope fed by encouragement. In today’s scripture reading we hear these powerful words that remind us of what is needed in such times: Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.

Today’s scripture suggests that as Christians we are called to hold tightly to our faith and encourage others. But how do we do that? Hebrews offers an answer to that question: Let us encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds. And let us not neglect meeting together, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his coming is drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Encouragement is more than merely giving a compliment or standard responses such as “I hope you feel better soon,” or I hope things will work out OK.” Encouragement is any act of inspiration that provides courage to face a challenge.

In his letters that form a major part of our New Testament scriptures, the Apostle Paul wrote words of advice, instructions, and encouragement to the first century community of faith. We often forget what it was like to be a Christian in that day when the early church was formed. They worshiped in secret out of fear of persecution. Many were disowned by their families, and often suffered severe consequences because of their beliefs. They endured many hardships. Others gave their lives for what they believed. How easy it would have been when put to the test for them to say, “We can’t. It’s no use. We give up!” But Paul and other apostles showed them how to knock the ”t” off “can’t,” so they could remain faithful and accomplish great things for Christ! Paul especially was an encourager who inspired others to face whatever life brought their way. And his faith and words encouraged others when they needed it the most. He challenged the Christians in Rome In his letter with these words: "If your gift is to encourage others, do it!" (Romans 12:8).

Two years ago this month, Lindsay Cushing, a bright young woman mature beyond her years, died at the young age of 23 after a courageous four-year battle with cancer. (She and her family became a part of the Bon Air UMC family when I was pastor there.) Upon receiving such devastating news, It would have been easy for Lindsey to give up rather than face the battles that were ahead as she fought her illness, but that wasn’t her nature. Lindsay was a remarkable young woman of faith who through her short life, managed to leave a powerful legacy. Her positive attitude, loving spirit and determination were sources of encouragement for many. These marks of positive living impacted those who knew her. Her legacy includes several simple lessons that guided her life and continue to inspire others who knew her.

Several months following Lindsey’s death, her mother, Gale, felt led to write and publish a book of reflections on her daughter’s life. Her book, “Lessons from Lindsey,” is an inspiring story of the role of faith in times of despair. Gale based her book on a high school project undertaken by Lindsey for an English class. The book is full of insights, wisdom, and practical lessons offered by Lindsey. Here are a couple of the important lessons that when followed, offer encouragement to others: “Give a stranger a smile everyday. It may be the only sunshine they see all day.” “When a friend is in trouble, don’t annoy them and ask if there is anything you can do. Think of something to do and do it!” Such lessons are reminders that it is often simple acts of kindness that offer encouragement to others.

These words of an anonymous writer are included in the book as a testimony of faith: “Our lives are not determined by what happens to us, but how we react to what happens. Not by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life. A positive attitude can cause a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcome.”

So what can encouragement do? Start by remembering that encouragement removes the “t” from can’t, so don’t give up, give in, or give out! Encouragement changes a negative to a positive… so work hard at staying positive! Encouragement restores hope… so hold on tight to even the smallest thread of hope!

As a people of faith we are not only recipients of acts of encouragement, but called to be encouragers for others. When Jesus called his first disciples he did so with these words: “Come, follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” His invitation was to come and learn, to find encouragement for the journey of discipleship though faith in the God of love. Through out his ministry Jesus offered others the transforming power of encouragement --- persons like Zacchaeus, the woman at the well, and countless others. The encouragement he offered was life transforming. And those who received it became “transformed transformers”. He offers the same today to those who respond positively to his invitation to “come and follow.” As followers of Christ we need to become encouragers for others.

Remember how I defined encouragement earlier in this sermon? It is any act of inspiration that provides courage to face a challenge. As we leave here today, I invite you to receive the power of encouragement that comes through faith. Then consider this question: What can I do to become the power of encouragement for others?