Encourage

1Thes 5:11
11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
(NIV)

One day I was at the bank making a deposit. I had walked in and the teller had not noticed I was there, because she was busy talking to the other teller about the customer in the drive through. Apparently, the person at the drive through window was their waitress that they had at a restaurant the other night. They were not happy with the service and complained to the restaurant manager. Now they were both embarrassed because this waitress was also a bank customer. After I cleared my throat, I got her attention and made my deposit. Well, I am sure that that waitress is going to get excellent service at the bank, because once she realizes that her bank tellers were also her complaining customers, she might be tempted to even up the score. Why is it is so easy to find things to complain about and so hard to find things to encourage about?

In this passage of scripture the Apostle Paul is charging everyone in the church to be an encourager. It is a daily responsibility of every Christian to encourage and build up those around us. Here is a good question to ask ourselves, “How often do I encourage others?” When was the last time we encouraged our Pastor or a minister of the gospel. When was the last time we encouraged our spouse, friend, or co-worker? No one wants to listen to someone who just complains about everything all the time. Jesus has appointed us as encouragers of the people. It is easy to encourage another person. Write a note of thanks and leave it on their desk. If you’re grabbing yourself a soda at work grab two and give one away. Verbally compliment someone on their clothing or haircut. Buy a gift or bake something for another person. Instead of going to lunch by yourself invite someone to go with you. The bottom line is that it does take effort to encourage others and it is a matter of denying our selfishness, taking up the cross, and considering others needs before our own needs. It is a lonely business being a complainer and it is a joyful life being an encourager.