Encouragement. How and Why?

What Does It Mean to Encourage?

~To speak courage into someone, to give courage.

But of course, it goes beyond making someone feel good. Encouragement has to do with strengthening the heart, building up faith, and focusing on God—especially during difficult times.

Encouragement Is a Command from God

Let’s look at the Great Commission in Matthew 28:

Matthew 28:19–20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (NASB)

“Make disciples of all nations” and “teach them to observe all that I commanded you.” It’s not about creating new Christians—we can’t do that ourselves anyway. That’s something God gives; He opens ears and eyes. But we must tell others about Him.

And it doesn’t stop there. “Make disciples of all nations”—make them My followers. When someone gets to know Jesus and comes to faith, we are to walk alongside them, teaching them what it means to be a Christian. We talk about Jesus, study the Word together, and learn what it means to live as Christians and obey God. And this applies not only to new believers, but to all believers. Wherever you are in life, you need people around you who are further along in their walk with Christ—who can be examples, who live out what it means to follow Him at a level or depth you don’t yet know. People who share their struggles and how God brought them through, what helped them at that moment, who challenge you to seek and know Christ more deeply, who encourage you—especially when life gets hard.

That brings us to Hebrews 10 and Ephesians 3:

Hebrews 10:25 “Not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” (NASB)

Ephesians 3:18–19 “…that you may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to all the fullness of God.” (NASB)

Only when we gather as Christians can we begin to grasp the width, length, height, and depth of God’s love. This is how we become filled with more of God—and the greater God becomes in and through us, the smaller the problems and worries of everyday life seem.

We need to be encouraged and to encourage others. To do so, we must be together, share our lives, be involved with one another, and share what God has taught us—through insight, life lessons, and spiritual lessons. That’s why Hebrews 10 also says we shouldn’t neglect meeting together.

How often do we see people attend a church service and then go straight home? They don’t join small groups or connect with fellow believers during the week. Is that what it means to not forsake gathering together? Absolutely not! It’s about sharing your life with others, being involved, praying for one another, and encouraging one another. You can’t do that if you don’t meet or communicate. Attending church anonymously is not community—and it’s not discipleship.

Look at the book of Acts. It starts with a major challenge: Jesus dies—much to their shock! They didn’t expect that. Then He rises from the dead and stays with them for forty days. They see Him again. Then He departs, instructing them to wait. What do His followers do? They come together! It’s a hard time—Jesus is gone. They probably don’t fully understand what they’re waiting for. It’s complex, sad, confusing—but they gather, pray, seek God together. And in doing so, they encourage one another.

Later in Acts, the apostles are persecuted—it’s not easy! One moment they’re celebrated as heroes for preaching Jesus, the next they’re being stoned by the same crowds. No one can endure that alone—only with God and the encouragement of fellow believers.

Encouraging one another is not optional; it’s a command from God. We are responsible for one another.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore, encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.” (NASB)

The Source of Encouragement

But how can we encourage others when we often struggle to keep our own heads above water?
God Himself is the source of encouragement!

2 Corinthians 1:3–4 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (NASB)

It’s often hard to find the right words to encourage someone. Should you say something? When? And what?

What a comfort and a joy it is to know that God is “the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.”

If anyone understands what you—or someone else—is going through, it’s Jesus. He knows you completely, every fiber of your being, and has counted the hairs on your head. He knows what you need—and what others need. He walked this earth, experienced sickness and pain, was scourged, crucified, mocked… and He too felt lonely at times (Matthew 27:46).

As long as we live on this earth, we’ll face difficulties and suffering. God comforts and strengthens us through them. Look at your life—those difficult times when you struggled but walked with God. See how He helped you, how He comforted and encouraged you to continue, to persevere.

This goes beyond simply solving a problem. How were you encouraged? How were you comforted?

We often say, “God got me through it.” True—but vague. How did God do that? Did you sense His presence? Did He give you new perspective? Did He bring someone alongside you? What did His help look like?

The more concretely we answer these questions, the more effectively we can apply those insights to future challenges—and share them to help others in the same way.

When life becomes difficult, it’s easy to blame God. “God knows what’s happening—why doesn’t He stop it?” “Why does He allow this?” These are real questions, but beneath them often lies deep despair—feeling abandoned, alone, unable to bear the pain, ready to give up. Anger may bring temporary strength, but if it turns against God, it becomes spiritually dangerous.

Let’s look at Hebrews 3:

Hebrews 3:12–13 “Take care, brothers and sisters, that there will not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one another every day, as long as it is still called ‘today,’ so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” (NASB)

This warns us about anger turning against God—a heart becoming hardened and closed to Him. That means His comfort and encouragement can no longer reach it. Be cautious: when someone experiences loss, anger is a natural stage. That anger is allowed. We’re talking about anger aimed at God—blaming Him for your pain or for not fixing your life is not fair.

Especially when life is hard, you need God—and you need each other. To find courage to continue, to refocus on what matters, to face reality honestly. To know you’re not alone—that someone, and Someone, stands beside you. Someone who listens, who simply stays present, even in silence.

How to Encourage

Let’s get practical. How do you actually encourage someone?

You’ve probably experienced people trying to encourage you when you were struggling: “It’ll be okay.” “God has a plan.” “I know exactly how you feel.” Or they tell you about their own pain or loss. When you’re in a valley, that’s often not what you need. So what helps? And what does the Bible say?

Share Life Together:

As we saw earlier, being part of God’s family is vital—and it’s not good to stay away from fellowship.

Acts 2:46 “Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart.” (NASB)

The first Christians met daily, shared meals, and learned together about Christ—with gladness and sincerity of heart. Sharing life and growing together in faith. That doesn’t automatically happen in churches today—so it takes intentional effort from you.

If you want to know others, you must also let them know you. Make plans to meet, invite them for a meal, learn what’s happening in their lives, pray with and for them. Be honest about yourself—how you’re doing and where they can pray for you. Build a relationship, invest in their life, walk alongside them.

Loneliness is a major problem. Even surrounded by people, many still feel deeply alone. By opening your door, inviting others in, and sharing your life, you can help reduce that isolation—help someone see they are not unseen.

Be Realistic:

Don’t downplay suffering. Acknowledge the reality of struggle, pain, and hardship—no more, no less.

Let’s look at an example from Acts 14:

Acts 14:21–22 “After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, ‘Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.’” (NASB)

Paul and Barnabas had been treated as gods, then stoned and driven out. Yet many came to faith. They returned to those cities to encourage and strengthen the believers. They were honest—“Through many tribulations we must enter God’s kingdom”—and their own lives proved it. But they also showed compassion and reminded others to see suffering in light of God’s grander plan—His kingdom.

Be Present and Empathetic:

This is often the toughest. We want to help, to fix things, because enduring suffering—especially someone else’s—is difficult. Yet simply being there, sharing in their pain without fleeing, is one of the deepest forms of encouragement.

Look at Job:

Job 2:11–13 “…they came, each one from his own place … to sympathize with him and to comfort him. … Then they sat down on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights with no one speaking a word to him, for they saw that his pain was very great.” (NASB)

Job had lost everything—even his health. What can you possibly say to someone in such pain? Words fail.

Learn to be present without feeling you must fix anything. If someone is ill, sit by their bed and maybe hold their hand—sometimes silent presence says more than words ever could.

Offer Practical Help:

We often hear, “Let me know if there’s anything I can do.” It’s well meant, but it places the burden on the hurting person. Instead, act. Cook some meals, take the kids out, mow the lawn, drop groceries at the door, slip an envelope with cash into the mailbox. Make it practical—and just do it.

A Kind Word:

Let’s look at Proverbs:

Proverbs 12:25 “Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down, but a good word makes it glad.” (NASB)

When someone is struggling, worry weighs them down—but a kind word brings joy. Words carry power. Use that power for good.

Shift the Perspective:

When life feels overwhelming, problems can fill our entire view. Help someone step back and see beyond them. Yes, the problems remain—but there is more: the person’s resilience, people who care, meals still on the table, countless small blessings continuing unnoticed. People are stronger than they think—especially when God’s strength works through them!

Psalm 121:1–2 “I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; from where shall my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” (NASB)

Instead of focusing on the problems, focus on God. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. You can trust and build your life on Him. Focus on who He is, what He has done, and what He has promised. He is your firm foundation. That’s where praise begins. Even if the situation hasn’t changed, something within you has.

Point to God’s Faithfulness and Promises:

Let’s look at Romans:

Romans 15:4 “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (NASB)

The Bible is an incredible source of encouragement—it is God’s Word, filled with truth. Use Scripture to encourage each other, but study it carefully and consider context. Verses taken out of context often lose their intended meaning (Jeremiah 29:11 is a well-known example). Study the Bible and share what God teaches you—it brings hope. And without hope, we cannot live.

Pray for and with Others:

Ephesians 3:14, 16–17 “For this reason I bend my knees before the Father… that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner self, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” (NASB)

Ephesians 3:19 “…that you may be filled to all the fullness of God.” (NASB)

What a beautiful prayer. The Holy Spirit, given by God, is our Comforter—and He lives in every believer.

Encouragement – Focus on God

To give and to receive courage—we all need it, and we all can give it.
Use the source of encouragement—God Himself. He is the Master Encourager. Let Him fill you, study His Word so that you may grow and be strengthened, and then pass those truths on to others.

Be present, be involved, and pray with and for each other—with the goal of shifting your perspective and focusing on God the Father.