Encouragement

We like that word. We like it when Paul tells us about the Final Resurrection and tells us to "encourage one another with these words" (1 Thess. 4:13-18). Paul further commands that we are to "encourage the fainthearted" (1 Thess. 5:14). Timothy was told, "Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father" (1 Tim. 5:1). The author of Hebrews tells us that "we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us" because of God, His promises, and the simple fact that He cannot lie (Heb. 6:17-18). Encouragement. That's a good word. We like to receive it. We ought to deliver it. But have you ever thought about what it is?

The dictionary might tell you something like this: It means "to inspire confidence, to inspire with hope, to hearten." Helpful in the search for the meaning of this concept is the antonym: "discourage." But it only takes a moment of looking at the word to figure out the intent: "en" - "courage". When we "en-able" someone we endow them with the ability. When we "en-courage" someone we endow them with ... courage.

But, oh, it gets better. If "encourage" means "to inspire with confidence", what does "inspire with confidence" mean? To "inspire" means, literally, to "breathe into". And "confidence" means literally "with trust". When we encourage we are aiming to breathe trust into the one we are encouraging. Get that image in your head for a moment. You see, the Greek word for this concept is a form of parakaleo. Those with a passing familiarity of Greek (like I have) have certainly heard something like this before: The Holy Spirit is referred to as the Paraclete -- the Comforter. Indeed, the King James version translates most of these as "comfort" as opposed to "encourage". That's okay. "Comfort" originates in a compound word meaning "to give strength" -- basically the same concept. Now, the concept of parakaleo is a compound concept as well. Para means, essentially, "in the vicinity" or "with" and kaleo means "call", so the concept is to "call alongside." The concept is to come alongside and provide support. It is to be there to breathe in trust when their trust is failing. It is to stand with and inspire courage when their courage is fainting.

Far, far too often Christians are succumbing to the society's growing distance between individuals. We have email and instant messaging and texting and chat rooms and Massive Multiplayer Online (MMO) games where people "interact" as if this is a social event. New technologies are even giving us video connections so we can see the people we want to talk to. But we're not leaving the comfort of our homes and we're not walking next door to wrap our arms around a neighbor who is discouraged. We know we are commanded to "do good to everyone, as we have opportunity, and especially to those who are of the household of faith" (Gal. 6:10). We are called to comfort and encourage -- to provide internal fortification and trust in God -- one another. And we can be part of a remarkable process that our casual use of terminology belies. We can come alongside one another and breathe into them hope, courage, confidence. Talk about being a part of the work of God! I mean, seriously, is it really all that hard to engage in interpersonal relationships rather than withdraw to the selfish comfort of your own home?

Encouragement. We like that word. We like to receive it. We ought to be deeply involved in giving it. Let's get out there and breathe courage into other people, especially those of the household of God.