Soul Care - Community of Encouragement
by Mary Elsbury
Many of us wish we had a magic wand that would take all our troubles away or dissolve the issues we are not wanting to face. Often, we feel isolated and stuck, but we soldier on and put up a brave face. We forget about a great resource – our friendships as part of our community of faith.
Community is vital to our spiritual growth. Through intentional relationships, we get a view of how God is working in our lives as part of His master plan. Our friends should sharpen us, challenge us, and help get us out of our rut.
The Apostle Paul encourages us to develop these close-knit ties with one another:
Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. Colossians 3:15-17 MSG
When we are weak, our community can rally around us, providing support. They love us when we don’t feel loveable, they cheer us when we grieve, they laugh with us when we don’t see the good. We experience God’s presence in powerful and unique ways as we are pushed to keep going.
One of the most powerful instances of community that I personally experienced was when I was diagnosed with cancer and spent time in the hospital following surgery. While many co-workers and friends came to see me, it was a visit from a gal that I didn’t know very well that rocked my world. I had spoken with her a few years prior and had sent a card of encouragement, letting her know I prayed for her situation and shared a Scripture. No other contact. When she walked into my room, I was surprised and shocked. As she approached my bed, she asked if she could pray for me. She said my simple act of extending encouragement made a huge impact on her life and she wanted to return the favor. Talk about being humbled! This is exactly what community is all about.
God encourages us through our circumstances, people, and many other ways. He loves us too much to leave us alone in this world.
Start today by developing a life of encouragement so that you can bless others.
Pray that God will shape you into someone who isn’t self-centered but is focused on helping others.
Look for examples in Scripture where God used people to build up the community of faith. Barnabas in Acts 4 is a great example of allowing the Holy Spirit to direct his path.
Develop a habit of encouraging others. It might be a phone call, a card, or a text.
Ask God to show who might need a kind word or deed. During my daily quiet times, I often find that a person will come to mind, and I will dash off a quick note. I frequently hear later that they needed an encouraging word at that exact moment. That’s God!
Be active in praying for your community of friends. Ask God to bring someone across their path that will help lighten their load.
Start now. Who has encouraged or blessed you recently that you can thank? My prayer is that God will help you develop a community of encouragement for yourself!
Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energizes you. Now we offer up to God all the glorious praise that rises from every church in every generation through Jesus Christ—and all that will yet be manifest through time and eternity. Amen! Ephesians 3:20-21, Passion Translation
