The Bible is Our Best Source of Encouragement

One of the activities that we did at our Tea & Titus meeting on August 6, on the topic of "Encouraging Eachother in the Faith," was to write down and share with eachother a favorite passage, verse, or story from the Bible that encourages you; that you have used to encourage others; or that others have used to encourage you. Here is a short list of what we came up with that night. If you have others that you would like to add, please leave a comment. You never know who might read it and be strengthened through it...

Romans 8:38-39
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 Peter 1:3-9
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.

James 1:2-4
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Matthew 5:3-11
Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:
A time to be born, And a time to die;
A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted;
A time to kill, And a time to heal;
A time to break down, And a time to build up;
A time to weep, And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, And a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to gain, And a time to lose;
A time to keep, And a time to throw away;
A time to tear, And a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, And a time to speak;
A time to love, And a time to hate;
A time of war, And a time of peace.

Ruth 1:16-17
But Ruth said:
“Entreat me not to leave you,
Or to turn back from following after you;
For wherever you go, I will go;
And wherever you lodge, I will lodge;
Your people shall be my people,
And your God, my God.
Where you die, I will die,
And there will I be buried.
The LORD do so to me, and more also,
If anything but death parts you and me.”

Exodus 17:8-13
Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said to Joshua, “Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand.” So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

A Sensitive Heart

In her book "Treasures of Encouragement," Sharon Betters deals a bit with encouraging those who are going through intense grieving—over loss of a spouse or child, for example. She gives a helpful list of what a “sensitive heart”—i.e. an encouraging heart—does and does not do.

A sensitive heart does not say…
1. I understand.
2. Call me if you need me.
3. You can have more children, get married again, fill your life with other things, etc.
4. I don’t know what to do. (and then prove it by doing nothing).
5. God needed him more than you.
6. God must really love you to put you through this.
7. You have to get on with your life.
8. Don’t cry.
9. Be strong.

A sensitive heart does not…
1. Try to be always cheerful.
2. Try to explain why.
3. Think her grieving friend is crazy.
4. Compare losses.

A sensitive heart will say…
1. I love you.
2. I’m so sorry this has happened.
3. Nothing. (But give lots of hugs and share lots of tears).
4. I’ll be in touch (and follows through).
5. I’m praying (and does).

A sensitive heart will…
1. Listen.
2. Allow her friend to express all emotions and not interject judgmental comments, especially in the beginning.
3. Read books that teach her how to help.
4. Keep visits short, unless the hurting friend insists she stay longer.
5. Discern when her friend needs to be alone, but not allow her to isolate herself completely.
6. Assure her friend that she is not crazy, just brokenhearted.
7. Offer to find more help when she senses her friend is sinking.
8. Acknowledge the pain.
9. Give permission to talk about the loss.
10. Stay in touch for the long haul with cards, phone calls, and special remembrances on birthdays, anniversaries, special holidays.
11. Ask the Holy Spirit for a specific Scripture to share at the right moment and trust God to use them as a healing balm.
12. Offer to do menial tasks (but never disturb the possessions of a deceased person without permission—i.e. do not clean out his or her room, change the bed, etc.)
13. Recognize that grief is a long process.
14. Tolerate volatile outbursts and intense emotions.
15. Not expect or demand thanks.
16. Pray, pray, pray every time she thinks of her friend.

A Treasury of Encouragement Ideas

From Treasures of Encouragement: Women Helping Women in the Church by Sharon W. Betters (Phillipsburg, N.J., P & R Publishing, 1996) Appendix A

1. Write a note or letter telling someone what you particularly value about her or him.
2. Take a walk with a friend.
3. Go through old snapshots and choose a picture of a friend that brings back memories. Enlarge and frame the picture. Send it to your friend with a note reminding her of why the picture is special.
4. Plan a family project that serves someone else.
5. Send a note to your pastor. Tell why you appreciate his sermons or the worship service.
6. Ask your parents to tell your children about their childhood. Grandparents will feel appreciated.
7. Write a missionary regularly.
8. Write a letter to each family member telling each why you are glad he or she has been a part of your life. File the letters to be read with your will after your death.
9. Do yardwork for a shut in as a family project.
10. Call an old friend to see how she is.
11. Wash your teenager’s car and fill up the gas tank.
12. Take a friend out for breakfast. Invite someone who needs special attention.
13. Send someone flowers…just because.
14. Make a double recipe of cookies or soup. Freeze the extra batch to have available when a friend needs help.
15. Create a collage of memories using old and new photographs of a family member. Present it on a special occasion.
16. Make reservations at a hotel and surprise your spouse with an overnight getaway.
17. Bake cookies or fudge and mail it as a surprise gift to a long distance friend.
18. Call home and leave a loving message on the machine for your spouse.
19. Encourage family members by praying for them. Put each one’s name in a prayer basket. Pick a name each day and pray specifically for that person’s needs.
20. Surprise your spouse when he arrives home. Greet him at the door dressed up and have a candlelight dinner waiting.
21. Give coupons in lieu of purchased gifts. Coupons for free baby-sitting, grocery shopping, house cleaning, or car washing are a welcome treat.
22. Give a child a classic book. Take the child to a park once a week and read two chapters. Great idea for grandmothers.
23. Take an afternoon off from your work or your routine. Excuse your child from school—grades permitting—and take him or her to a ball game or a trip to a fire station, museum, or aquarium. Just have fun!
24. Take a family walk.
25. Give your husband and his friend a weekend away to a place of their choice (e.g. golfing, skiing, fishing).
26. Put together a jigsaw puzzle as a family.
27. Watch someone’s children on a Saturday so that she and her husband can spend the day together alone.
28. Give children or grandchildren an alternative to Saturday morning cartoons—breakfast at McDonald’s, games at a park, or a ride in the country.
29. Sit down with your child after school and ask questions like, “Who do you eat lunch with?” “What class do you enjoy the most?” “What did your teacher do today that made you laugh?” Listen to the answers and try to learn something new about your child.
30. Write a note of appreciation on a napkin before putting it in the lunchbag.
31. Tuck love notes into socks or bureau drawers of family members.
32. Send flowers to your husband (it’s okay to do that).
33. Take an elderly person shopping or out to lunch.
34. Clean house for someone who is ill; write someone who is alone.
35. Enclose Scripture verses or special bookmarks with your mail.
36. Pick someone other than a family member and pray for him or her all day.
37. Keep all Christmas cards, thank-you notes, birthday cards, etc. in a basket. At dinner time, pick a card and pray for that person or family.
38. Visit a nursing or retirement home with your children. Ask at the office for the name of someone who rarely receives visitors. Take your pet (get permission first) or a small gift. If you have a special talent, volunteer to perform.
39. Compile a family tree and give copies to your sisters, brothers, or cousins.
40. Make baked goods and invite a friend over for tea or coffee.
41. Say no to doing one thing a day for yourself and replace it with doing something for someone else. For example, give up an hour of TV and write a letter to your husband or call a friend.
42. Make time on Saturday evening to prepare your heart for Sunday worship. For example, turn off the lights and snuggle up on the sofa with your husband and listen to sacred music.
43. Make a list of people who have hurt your feelings. Ask God to search your heart for any bitterness. Replace your bitterness with kindness by doing something nice for everyone on the list.
44. Prepare extra salad or dessert for dinner. Take it to your sister, mother, sister-in-law, or friend. Just because you care.
45. Surprise your family with a picnic dinner and go to the park to eat.
46. Pack a basket of potato salad, sandwiches, fried chicken, and fruit for a family that’s moving.
47. Place a snack in the teacher’s room at your child’s school. Tuck in a thank you note with a verse of Scripture.
48. Deliver a bucket filled with cleaning supplies to a friend’s new house or apt. Stay and help clean if you can.
49. Ask a leader in the church ministry what his or her needs are—time, books, equipments, refreshments. As a family project, start a fund to purchase items.
50. Find a Scripture verse that describes a good quality of one of your friends. Send a copy of the verse to him or her along with a note of explanation and appreciation.