Living Like a Barnabas

The other day as I was checking out at the grocery store, a baby was squalling somewhere nearby. I wasn’t sure whether to feel sorrier for the mama or the baby. It sounded like a newborn and quickly brought back my own memories as a young mama with little ones.

Looking around, I was able to spot the mom with her sweet baby. She had already bought her groceries and was over by the bathrooms in the front of the store trying to get the babe calmed down.

When I went to my car to put my groceries inside, I saw the mama was across from me trying to hold her little one and was basically throwing the grocery bags in the back seat of her car. I heard one bust open and saw some things roll under her car.

Stopping what I was doing, I walked over and asked if she needed help. She was grateful for help. I told her I could relate with how she felt especially having two children that were eighteen months apart. Every time I went to the store with a newborn and a young toddler, I wondered what I was doing and how I was going to get it done. I don’t know if it worked, but I did try to encourage her as we talked and worked together. I told her she would get through this!

Have you ever found yourself reaching out to encourage someone you knew was struggling? There are many stories in the Bible of men and women who were encouragers. They reached out to lift others.

In fact, Barnabas in the gospel of Acts was well-named, as his name actually means “son of consolation or comfort.” We first find him introducing the newly-converted Paul to the apostles at Jerusalem. They were all wary of this man who had formerly been infamous for persecuting Christians unto death. But God sent Barnabas to encourage Paul and the other apostles to believe Paul’s conversion. (Acts 9:27)

We also find Mary going to visit her older cousin, Elizabeth, once she finds out she’s pregnant with our Savior. (Luke 1:42-45) This older, wiser, and godly cousin was a friend who encouraged Mary.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” This verse makes it plain that as believers we are to comfort and encourage one another! This principle is taught so much at my church and is important. 💚

Ways to Encourage

Through Words

Words are so powerful. Words have the power to communicate grace and love; they can heal and give courage. However, words can also tear down, destroy, and wound others. Here are some thoughts of how to encourage through words:

• You can encourage online by posting on someone’s Facebook wall or sending a private message, sending an email or text message, making a phone call, praying for someone and letting them know you are, or sending a note card of encouragement.
• Very often we think kind and caring words about friends and loved ones, but we don’t say them aloud to that person. We may think how they look nice in a color or the clothes they are wearing, how they have been helpful with something and you appreciate it, or maybe how you are thankful your husband is such a hard worker. SPEAK the words to them!
• Words that encourage – words of love, words of faith (Bible verses), words of understanding (maybe you have gone through the same thing, use your experience to help others whether it’s as a mom, a sickness, problems in a relationship, etc), words of gratitude (say thank you!), words of comfort, words of motivation to make the right choices
• Encourage through the Bible! The promises of God help us through troubles as well as cause us to rejoice to remember His mercies, grace, and love. Do not forget the power of the Word of God!

Through Actions

• A pat on the back, a hug, a handshake, possibly financially helping someone, delivering a meal (home-cooked or picked up from a restaurant)
• Help them with something, be a good example (by encouraging others, helping/serving others), just being there when they need someone to listen or just be present – hurt with them and show them love
• Live a godly life. I thank the Lord for my faithful Christian grandparents and parents. They have been an example to me. Who is looking to you now? Who is watching you and being encouraged (and hopefully not discouraged) as you presently live your Christian life? Are you passing down heirlooms?
• Smile! Seriously! Giving someone a genuine smile can brighten their day. Smiles are usually contagious – you smile, and the other person will smile back.

What Encouragement Does for Others

• Gives strength to continue forward, lifts and refreshes their spirits
• Helps them to feel loved and appreciated, and know they are not alone
• Increases their faith

What Encouragement Does for You

• When I do something to encourage others, it makes me happy. It’s like my heart is smiling. Do you know that feeling? I think it’s because encouraging others is showing love. That warm fuzzy feeling is love! 😉
• If you have gone through a trial in life where you sought God for comfort, you can reach out to comfort someone going through something similar. While you may wish you had never gone through that trial, encouraging others may free lingering emotions. (2 Corinthians 1:4)

Who Needs Encouragement?

• Pastors, church staff members, and missionaries, along with their wives – Please do not think their lives are holier or easier, because they are in ministry. Generally, it is harder, because the enemy would love to see these families torn apart so he attacks regularly.
• New believers – When babies are learning to walk, they will fall. New believers may do the same so encourage them in the Lord whether they are continuing to walk in the Lord or have fallen.
• Other women, including new moms and single moms – Whether you are a first time mom or have welcomed your fourth little one, being a mom can be demanding and stressful of your emotional and physical well-being. Women need to be lifting other women up!
• Those who are grieving – Long after the funeral, those who have lost loved ones, must learn to live a new life that feels unknown to them and is lonely.
• People who are struggling with health issues – This can be those who have been living with a chronic illness/disease for years, a friend who recently had surgery, or someone fighting cancer. Many live with serious health problems that no one knows about or gets forgotten, so if you know of someone who does, encourage them.
• Anyone and everyone – Those who seem to have “life altogether” most often do not! Even if they do, encouragement from someone is likely not going to put them in a bad mood! 😉

You know the Golden Rule? “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Matthew 7:12a teaches the same thing, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.” If you know how encouragement helps you, then you know how it helps others. Practice the Golden Rule!

That is the influence of encouragement. It has power, because words have power whether you are praying to the Lord for someone or using your words to lift up. Words have the power to damage and crush and hurt, but words also have the power to bestow love and healing and courage.

If feel prompted by the Holy Spirit to reach out to someone. Do it. I heard a pastor say years ago that when someone comes to your mind out of the blue, it may be the Lord putting them there. Pray for them.

I propose you take it a step further, and reach out to encourage them. You can simply text them or email them and say, “Hey, you came to my mind today, and I wanted to let you know I’m thinking of you and praying for you.” Ask the Lord to help you know who needs encouragement.

Even if you are a stay-at-home mom with little ones feeling like your plate is too full, then do it from home. Text or call someone, mail a note including “work of art” from one of your kids, or send an email to a friend, your husband, or whomever. Just like praying for others, this is a ministry you can do in the comforts of your home that can make a difference.

As we are starting a new week, make the effort to encourage someone. You may want to make it a goal to encourage one person every day (or more!). It may lead to them having a better week or being able to face with courage in the Lord whatever they are going through right now.

I am going to take my own challenge and try to encourage someone every day this week trying to live the principle of 1 Thessalonians 5:11. I am going to try to live like a Barnabas. Will you? 💕