Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Encourage The Fainthearted & Help The Weak

"...encourage the fainthearted, help the weak..."(1 Thessalonians 5:14)

"...help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He Himself said, 
'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" (Acts 20:35b)

I didn't quite realize how much of a gift it is, to have the ability to encourage others in Christ, until my ability to encourage others, was severely limited. God had granted me many seasons of encouraging my Sisters & Brothers and building them up (1 Thessalonians 5:11)...so when a new season of weakness came into my life, it hit me hard!  I was able to see just how blessed I had been when I was able to encourage others. It truly is more blessed to give than it is to receive!

But God has ordained a season for everything.

"...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 keep silence, and a time to speak..."
Ecclesiastes 3

I have been walking through a valley of grief for over a year now. A time of silence, weeping and mourning. Within the walls of my own home, God has given many blessings! I am thankful to God for my Husband and Son! So to outsiders, it has looked like a time of blessing. But very close to our home, just outside it's borders, circumstances "exploded", so-to-speak, in a manner that rocked my world! These circumstances affected the reality of my entire life, up until now, and really shook my faith in God and my understanding of truth. During this time, I doubted my salvation and lost hope in Christ. I slid more and more into a life of walking in the flesh, instead of walking in the Spirit. And without the constant help of the Spirit, as my Guide, I had little, in the way of hope, to offer anyone. My ability to point others to the Word at opportune times or pray with them was greatly weakened. I lost out on the joy of serving others!

God is graciously rebuilding the parts of my life that seemed at times, irreparable. I am still in the midst of regaining my footing. But I would like to encourage those who are strong in the Lord right now, to encourage your brothers and sisters who are currently faint of heart. Don't look on it as a burden, but as a gift!

We are admonished throughout Scripture to use any strengths we are given to serve others. "...by the strength that God supplies-- in order that in everything God may be glorified..."(1 Peter 4:8-11) I see with a new clarity, the "why" behind it. We are the Body of Christ and when one foot is impaired, we lean more heavily on the other foot. When one eye is not able to see, we squint and look through the other eye. If we can lean on one another, we will keep moving forward, toward the "finish line". We will keep on the narrow path! And no matter how "strong" we seem or how many people are leaning on us...it is the LORD who is is giving us the strength. So, although we are used as His vessel, and share in the joy of being used by Him, He gets the glory!

 Whatever strengths He has given you today--use them!! I am saying this to myself as well! I still am wrestling depressive thoughts and anxieties and doubts. But God's Spirit lives within me, and He is bringing me into a season of "Spring"! I believe this is God's season to "build up" what had been broken down in me. And with every bit of strength God grants, I want to use it for HIS Kingdom! I know my Sisters in Christ need me, and I need them! "But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called 'today', that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." (Hebrews 3:13)

So, don't hide your talents! (Matthew 25:14-30) If you are in a season, where you have only been given one talent...by the power of the Spirit, use it! Ask God to help you to do well with whatever He has given you, in this season!

--"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil 4:13)
--"...My power is made perfect in weakness..." (2 Corinthians 12:9)
--"What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?" (1 Cor. 4:7)

And, to the fainthearted and weak, I urge you to not neglect the fellowship of believers. Let others know that your faith is weak. Let them pray for you and point you to God's truth! There isn't anything new under the sun. Your Sisters may have an understanding of what you are going through. And God can still use YOU to encourage THEM, even in your season of weakness! I was helped through the "desert" by my Husband, family members, close friends, Disciplers and Counselors (all who love the Lord). God used them as key instruments in my healing. And He still is! :-)
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24,25)

To the ones who are strong in faith right now, ask God to keep you free of pride! And ask for the strength to keep on serving! Do not grow weary in doing good!
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith." (Galatians 6:9,10)

"Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything that you may do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen." (Hebrews 13:20,21)

--Samantha Layland

For further encouragement:
http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/god-strengthens-us-through-others