“For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:9-11
It is so easy to fall into bitterness and self-pity in this time. We experience limitations on our activities, the feeling of constant scrutiny and judgement, and a general weariness from constantly having to do things in a new way.
I find myself reaching out to friends to gripe and complain. Of course, as friends, we take turns sharing our frustrations. I suppose we could just wallow in our pain, but inevitably the grace of God intercedes. One of us will remember that we care about the other, and will start sharing words of encouragement. I am not talking about meaningless praise; instead these are words acknowledging gifts in the other and noticing the difference the other is making in the world. Soon we are taking turns encouraging each other.
When we encourage others we find encouragement for ourselves. It isn’t just because the other will say nice things in return, but because the act of looking for the good in the other allows us to see it in ourselves. Lifting up another’s abilities shines a light on our own. Bringing courage to another swells our own hearts as well. Reminding the other that we are not alone in our struggle reminds us that we, too are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses!
So when you are frustrated, reach out to a friend in faith. Listen to their struggle and share your words of encouragement. In that way, as the Apostle Paul tells us, we will build-up one another.
Loving God, we thank you for raising us from the dust of our lives. Open our ears and our hearts to the hurt of others, and in our words of encouragement, help us find encouragement from you. Come, Holy Spirit, our comforter and our strength. In Jesus we pray. Amen.
Pastor George