How do you encourage others? Do you praise them for their accomplishments? Do you tell them they can do whatever it is they are attempting? Do you encourage people in general ways? Do you encourage them by your presence? Do you encourage them through God?
Encouragement is needed by everyone. It is the encouragement of others that helps us accomplish the things we set out to do. It builds up our confidence. It lifts our spirits. We feel empowered with the encouragement of others and their belief in us.
In today’s passage, the Apostle Paul did not offer just encouragement but a blessing from God. He first recognizes the love God has for us, followed by his grace being shown to us. He gives credit to God, lifting him up and reminding the people of Thessalonica that God loves them and has shed his grace upon them.
He then describes the grace they have received, which is eternal comfort and good hope. The word interpreted as comfort can also be interpreted as encourage. The meaning of the word eternal does not mean the encouraging does not occur until eternity but that it is continual, continuing into eternity.
Paul continues by blessing them by asking God to comfort/encourage and strengthen them in the good works they will do and the words they speak to one another. Blessing someone by asking God to encourage them and strengthen them can significantly boost their confidence, providing them the encouragement they need to carry the work God has set before them.
I pray we all encourage one another. I pray we bless one another by asking God to encourage us. I pray each one of us will accept the encouragement and blessing to accomplish the good works God has set before us. Encourage one another. Bless one another. Accept encouragement. Feel the blessing.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.
Marty Pressey 