What Does It Take To Be An Encourager?

All of us need encouragement. Otherwise, we feel alone or even worse - we feel beat down.

Some people aren't good at encouraging others. Either all they want to talk about is themselves or they are just so negative. Who needs that!

One of the great encouragers in the Bible was Barnabas. We meet him in the story of Paul's conversion in the book of Acts.

Paul is a new convert. He's been persecuting Christians so everybody is shying away from him. They aren't sure his conversion is real. Maybe he's just laying a trap for them.

But Barnabas comes to Paul. And then he introduces Paul to the disciples. Then he travels with Paul to spread the gospel.

Barnabas didn't call Paul on the phone and say, "Next time you're in town let's do lunch." No, he went out of his way to go to Paul.

Barnabas didn't expect Paul to be anything other than a new convert to Christianity. New believers aren't as wise and mature as those who have been following Jesus for a while.

Here's a principle of encouragement: An encourager comes alongside you rather than demanding you come alongside him.

Forrest Grimmett is my encourager in this fitness thing I'm doing. Forrest is in great shape and can run circles around me...backwards. Instead of constantly telling me to do like he does, he walks and jogs alongside me. Sometimes he picks up the pace and I do too. He hears me breathing hard and he slows down.

That's how we encourage others. Come alongside them and slowly lead them to where you are. That's a good principle for both physical fitness and spiritual fitness.

Paul didn't learn the lesson quickly. He gave up on Mark because Mark didn't finish a mission trip. But Paul eventually got it. He mentored Timothy like a pro - like Barnabas. And he came back around with Mark, requesting that Mark be with him near the end of Paul's life.

Who are you trying to encourage? Take time to come alongside them. You will be more help to them there than from where you are now.