Encourage Others…

Encourage Others…5-5-25

Yesterday, in both Sunday School and Women’s Bible Study, the lesson was obedience. In our Women's Bible Study, the next two lessons move into encouraging others in their obedient walk of faith. "Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11. This verse stands out when I think about encouraging others in their walk.

It is rare to find a group of women who can come together for any length of time without the devil intervening in some way. You understand where I’m going here. In our Bible study, there have been about 20 women who have been involved in some capacity. Some started the Bible studies, but have other responsibilities such as family and church needs, and others wanted to complete the pastor-led study at the same time. Still others are currently participating in the lessons in some format, either remotely, individually, or in group sessions. They are still part of our group chain and are still very much a part of Women’s Ministry. When I refer to the devil intervening, you understand that I'm referring to jealousies, disagreements, hurt feelings, or misunderstandings. This has not been the case with these women. I have never faced this before in any circumstance, in any employment, or in any church I have been involved in. Quite the contrary, in my lengthy career, I have seen cliques, back-biting, ostracizing, purposeful instances of leaving others out to be cruel, and in some cases, outward hatred of others. There is always some drama going on. But this is different. Yes, some women are closer to some and not as close to others. That is human nature. We build bonds and form friendships. Others are closer to the same age or enjoy the same activities. Still again, this is human nature. Some of us still work or have young children, and that doesn't allow time to meet for coffee or lunch. Oh, I'm not saying we are all perfect women. We aren't, but if there are any of those tensions, it is not evident. There may be things one might say that another might disagree with. The difference, I believe, is the commitment to seek His will and His glory first and foremost in our lives. In doing this, we can share openly, ask for prayer on our prayer line for anything and everything, and call on each other for support. When we meet, we pray for those who are present, as well as those who aren't. We pray for each other. We truly share Christ's love with each other.

As I studied the lesson for our upcoming Bible Study, from obedience we moved into encouraging others in that obedience. The question arose: "Who is your encourager?" Now, I immediately say that this would be my husband. He is the earthly person I go to for encouragement. But this lesson is about women encouraging women. Or should I say, for any man who might be reading this, people encouraging people. Just as Paul wrote to the Church in Thessalonica, that they should "encourage one another and build each other up", so should we. How do we do that when we don't share? How do you encourage and build one another when you don't have an open line of communication?

Philippians 2:1-2 says, "Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind." To share that encouragement, we have to be united with Christ. We have to share a common bond of His love and His spirit. And, we must share ourselves with others. We also have to let others share their encouragement with us. That may mean putting ourselves out there and trusting that others will love us as He loves us. Sometimes it is easier to fill the cup of another than to let someone fill yours. Have you had your cup filled today? Maybe you can ask for a cup of coffee, tea, water, or Diet Coke?