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Seed Thoughts

seedthoughts

//Lynette Hagin

Have you ever experienced discouragement? I am sure that all of us would say, “Most assuredly yes—many times.” The days in which we live have certainly intensified the opportunity to become discouraged.

Discouragement will steal your joy, peace, and contentment. It will cause you to begin to fall into despair, self-pity, and depression. Sometimes discouragement can be so strong that you don’t even want to go on living.

It is important that in these last days we heed the admonition of the Scriptures. Hebrews 10:23–25 (NLT) says, “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”

I want to concentrate on the words “encourage one another” in this scripture. Encouragement is a powerful force. A word of encouragement will cause someone to excel where they have failed. The high school that I graduated from had many successful football teams. However, it seemed that suddenly the team began to lose. A coach was hired to rejuvenate that team. He happened to attend my father’s church. The team he inherited had little talent. They were smaller in stature and weight than most of their opponents. It appeared that this was going to be a very long football season for Garland High School.

However, this coach began to encourage the team. He told them that they were winners and not losers. He began to instill in them confidence in their ability. As he spoke encouraging words to that team, they began to respond positively to his expectations. That year, in spite of their lack of natural talent, they won the state championship in their division. Why? Simply because someone cared enough about a group of boys to encourage them to reach for a goal far beyond their ability.

One of the deepest needs in all of us is to be appreciated and encouraged. An usher in our church has been there since it began. When he sees someone, the first words out of his mouth are, “I appreciate you!” He spreads encouragement to many members at every service.

The Apostle Paul admonished us, “Encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other. Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people” (1 Thess. 5:11–15 NLT).

One of the greatest encouragers in the Bible was Barnabas. Acts 4:36 (NLT) says, “There was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means ‘Son of Encouragement’). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus.” His name matched his character. Acts 11:22–24 (NLT) tells us, “When the church at Jerusalem heard what had happened, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw this evidence of God’s blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord. Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. And many people were brought to the Lord.”

We need more Barnabases in the church today. Barnabas overlooked the faults in others. He was caring and compassionate, willing to give others another chance when they failed. Barnabas understood that we all fail from time to time. We all need a little help along the way.

Let me ask you a thought-provoking question: Are you a Barnabas? Are you willing to help others and patiently work with them? Are you willing to forgive and give them a second chance?

Make an effort every day to speak words of encouragement to those with whom you come in contact. It takes little time or effort to say, “You did a good job.” A simple “thank you” or “I appreciate you” goes a long way in lifting someone’s spirits. The greatest ministry we can have is to reach down and lift people up.