Receiving Encouragement
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. (Hebrews 3:13)
As followers of Christ, we are called to be encouraging to one another. We are not only called to be encouraging, but we are instructed to do so daily. When you encourage someone, you are trying to build them up; and you are reminding them about whom they are in Christ. You are showing them what they are capable of doing through the power of the Holy Spirit.
While encouragement is something everyone needs, not everyone knows how to receive encouragement. Maybe you are one of those people who has a hard time taking praise and encouragement from others. This could be the case for several reasons. One of the most common reasons I’ve seen in my years in ministry is this: People who were not frequently encouraged while growing up often struggle to receive it as an adult.
If this is the case for you, it is completely understandable. Because you didn’t experience encouragement, it is difficult for encouragement to be in your toolbox now. You simply learned to live and push on without it.
Thankfully, we serve a God who is the Great Physician. Not only is He capable of healing people physically, but He is also capable of healing people psychologically. Many of us struggle through life as a result of the situations we’ve gone through; the words that have been said to us, and the lies we’ve chosen to believe about ourselves. We don’t have to remain in this state of struggle; we can ask the Lord to heal us from these wounds and help us grow in our ability to receive the encouragement we desire.
I truly believe we have a propensity toward needing encouragement. When it happens, even if you are not accustomed to it, ask God to help you receive it well. Allow someone to bless you as they build you up. Don’t put yourself down or try to deflect their encouragement. Just thank them for blessing you with their words and for sharing an expression of their belief in you.
As followers of Christ, we are called to be encouraging to one another. We are not only called to be encouraging, but we are instructed to do so daily. When you encourage someone, you are trying to build them up; and you are reminding them about whom they are in Christ. You are showing them what they are capable of doing through the power of the Holy Spirit.
While encouragement is something everyone needs, not everyone knows how to receive encouragement. Maybe you are one of those people who has a hard time taking praise and encouragement from others. This could be the case for several reasons. One of the most common reasons I’ve seen in my years in ministry is this: People who were not frequently encouraged while growing up often struggle to receive it as an adult.
If this is the case for you, it is completely understandable. Because you didn’t experience encouragement, it is difficult for encouragement to be in your toolbox now. You simply learned to live and push on without it.
Thankfully, we serve a God who is the Great Physician. Not only is He capable of healing people physically, but He is also capable of healing people psychologically. Many of us struggle through life as a result of the situations we’ve gone through; the words that have been said to us, and the lies we’ve chosen to believe about ourselves. We don’t have to remain in this state of struggle; we can ask the Lord to heal us from these wounds and help us grow in our ability to receive the encouragement we desire.
I truly believe we have a propensity toward needing encouragement. When it happens, even if you are not accustomed to it, ask God to help you receive it well. Allow someone to bless you as they build you up. Don’t put yourself down or try to deflect their encouragement. Just thank them for blessing you with their words and for sharing an expression of their belief in you.
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3 Comments
I was reading Matthew this morning and just knowing that God knows the number of hairs on my head encourages me. He loves me and all of us who are His.
I did not receive encouragement at home when I was growing up so it was hard for me to accept any as an adult. I have Christian friends who are very encouraging so now I can accept it and encourage others as well.
GLORY TO GOD. PRAISE JESUS. I love YOU FATHER, I Love YOU JESUS ! GLORY Hallelujah Thank YOU. !