Serving Him through Encouragement to Others

            All of us have our crosses to bear.  None of us go through life unscathed.  We face pain, illness, accidents and death.  We lose those we love; sometimes through conflict of some kind and as already mentioned, sometimes through death.  We have financial burdens and stresses at work or at home – or both. Even though we are not of the world, we still have to live in the world.  Sometimes, folks that is really tough!

          On the other hand, we also experience incredible joy while we are here.   We see innocent babies born into the world and get to watch them grow.  We love our times with our families and our friends.  Being with those we care about brings us much happiness.  We have our mountain top moments too. 

          Solomon told us in Ecclesiastes 3:1 –“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.”  Through inspiration, he then continues to mention many opposites – living and dying; weeping and laughing; mourning and dancing;  and tearing down and building up are just a few of the “times” Solomon mentions. 

          Then in Ecclesiastes 9:11 Solomon says, “I returned and saw under the sun that – the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favor to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all.” 

          My point is that everyone goes through some kind of storm sooner or later.  That is something we all come to know as we go through our lives.  Time and chance happens to everyone.  How we react in each situation is what is important.  Are we following God and doing His will during the good times and the bad? It is easy to forget our Father during both of these times.  When things are going wonderfully well for us,  we become so proud of ourselves – so enamored with ourselves that we forget to give God the glory.  It seems we think we accomplished these things all alone!  Sometimes we don’t remember to be thankful for all His beautiful blessings in our lives.

        When trials, temptations and tribulations land in our lap – sometimes we become angry with God for letting bad things happen to us.  We may have the “Why me?” attitude.  Sometimes we just get so overwhelmed with what is going on around us, that we allow Satan to move in and push God right out of our minds.  We may be so downtrodden  we don’t think God cares anymore.  Of course, we are terribly wrong about that. 

      Those people who cling to God even through their heartache and pain have always inspired me.  I am encouraged by their unyielding faith and dedication to serve the Lord the best way they can through all the circumstances of their life.  We draw strength from one another when we help each other carry on God’s work no matter what. 

          Last week in our prayer group, the comment was made that by going through our own struggles and overcoming our own temptations, we can encourage others who might also be going through tough times.  We mentioned different Christian women who have encouraged us through the years.  Someone said they watched one sweet lady in the congregation walk around to others smiling and doing what she could do bolster their spirits like she so often does.  Then when she thought no one was looking, she let her guard down for just a second and my friend realized this sweet lady was not feeling very well.  Yet she would never want to bring attention to herself or put a damper on anyone’s spirits by airing her own difficulties. 

          Most of us know very special people like that.  Sometimes we wonder what kind of cross have they borne.  What was their trial or heartache?  How do they hold up well enough to become so gifted in the comforting of others?  What helps them keep going with their heads held high, a smile on their face and a hug or word of cheer for others, never complaining about their own troubles? 

          I most definitely think the primary reason for this is because they love their God.  They have learned to depend on Him.  They have the vision to see past their pain – or through it – or around it – to see the pain of others.  It takes the vision of faith to be able to see the needs of others when we ourselves might feel needy.  These Christians realize even while going through a storm, they (we) are still commanded to follow God and to serve others by serving Him.  They understand no matter what they are going through, God is still in control and there is always something they can do to serve Him.  So they smile through the storm, knowing sunnier days will come; for they almost always do.  They also know one day they will be in heaven where no storms come. 

          Now thinking about serving the Lord through good times and bad reminds me of Paul’s instruction in Romans 12: 1 – “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” 
         Do you think maybe these wonderful spiritual cheerleaders – these faithful Christians we always count on to cheer us up -- do you think this is what they are doing?

         They don’t just stop and sit down because life got difficult to deal with.  No!  They are sacrificing themselves by yielding to God’s will even when they might not feel so well themselves.  They present themselves holy because they are not yielding to any temptations of the world no matter how tough things get.  They use their bodies in His service so that they can be acceptable to Him.  And finally, they know after all the things Christ did for us …. up to and including His death and resurrection it is only reasonable that we should live for Him. 
 

         So how about us?  Are we willing to do the same thing?  Are we willing to use our bodies and minds in service to Him even when we aren’t at our best?  Do we strive to encourage others when things seem to be going wrong all around us? 
       Do we tell people Jesus loves them – even when someone we love might be causing us pain?  Do we understand that ourselves?  Do we know without a doubt that Jesus loves us and is going to help us through anything we encounter in this life?  If we don’t know – really know – that Jesus will see us through; then honestly, how we can tell anyone else that?  Have the vision to see through your pain to the needs of those around you.  Love God enough to serve Him by serving and comforting others. 

 

Galatians 6:9 – “And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” 

 

Christ above all things,

Robin