Encouragement is the Medicine

As a minister, I have made numerous mistakes throughout the years. If I took the time to write them all down, what you’re reading now would be a three-volume anthology of my bone-headedness. There was a song written by DC Talk in the 90s called “The Hard Way”, and I guarantee it was written about me. I’m someone who will try just about anything, and in my younger years, I wouldn’t really count the cost of what I was about to do. From digging up a half-football-field-sized hole in the church property to having kids ride car sleds down the church stairs, I’ve had a lot of fun doing dumb stuff over the years.  Unfortunately, my dumb decisions weren’t always fun.

At one church, I was dealing with frustration over a finance person who was coming to all of our staff meetings and being hyper defensive and occasionally argumentative when we wanted to purchase or planned to use finances in a way that they didn’t want. Looking back, I think this person really just wanted to be part of the process and felt overlooked. At the time, however, I was frustrated with the constant confrontations. One day, I was chatting with our Sr. Minister about my frustrations and said some fairly inflammatory things about this individual, not realizing that they were within earshot of our conversation. Needless to say, they were deeply hurt and eventually left the church. It was my fault. I made a very bad decision, and it hurt someone. I apologized profusely to them and felt horrible about what had happened. Again, it was all on me. I didn’t control my tongue, and it came back to bite me in the backside big-time. 

I never want to have an experience like that again. To know that I so hurt someone that their whole family pulled up roots from the church and went somewhere else still bothers me. Since that day, I have kept myself in check and try only to be encouraging with others at all costs. If I had been using my brain that day, I would’ve remembered that encouragement is what we’re called to. 

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11

It’s such a simple message, but it is so vital within the Church. To be in community with others, we need to let people know their value to the rest of the body. It’s so easy to point out each other’s faults. Over the years, the Church has gotten quite a reputation for that. We’re often known, whether true or not, to fight amongst ourselves. So many churches have lost track of why we exist that they’ve split over carpet color. Some people place ministers on a pedestal to the point where they’re the fourth member of the trinity, and when that minister leaves, they’re heading right out the door with them. Some people think they’re talented in areas where they really aren’t, and are ready to go to blows when it’s suggested they pursue a different avenue of ministry. Some people just simply decide that, if the church doesn’t operate the way they think it should, they’re going to burn the whole thing down. Sadly, for a lot of people, that’s what they see the Church as, and as much as I hate to admit it, that stuff does happen. 

It’s almost like a virus that can spread quickly throughout the church and into the daily lives of the people. It doesn’t have to be that way, though. If there’s one thing we can do to combat it, it’s encouragement. God didn’t call us to beat people into holy submission. He didn’t tell us to insult people and break them down in order to convince them of His greatness. God takes a different approach. 

The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:
1 Peter 4:7–10

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Ephesians 4:29


If we should be known for anything, it should be for the way we treat each other with love and respect. Instead of speaking vitriol at each other, we should be lifting each other up. How much more do you want to be around people when simply being in their presence brings encouragement and joy? Are you more excited about volunteering when you know for a fact you are appreciated, or do you just want to fill an empty space and be held in contempt when you make the slightest error? Most Christians will serve because of their love for God and His Church. Most don’t need encouragement, but no one is upset when they receive it. 

A simple “thank you” or “you’re doing a great job” can mean the world to someone, and when someone is coming to church for the first time, they’re watching everything. It’s up to us what they see. Do they see people serving with joy and being lifted up for their hard work, or do they see stressed-out people who would rather be doing anything other than serving in their church? Encouragement doesn’t just help those who are serving, but it makes others who aren’t want to. If we are to be disciples of Christ, this is something we must do within the Church. 

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:34–35

There are few things that express love to others like encouragement does. It communicates appreciation. It lifts up those who are giving of themselves. It makes others want to be a part of what you are doing. If gossip, infighting, and beating people down verbally are a virus, then encouragement is the medicine.