The word "encourage" has of late become weakened. Current use of the word connotates merely "brightening someone's day." Surely we all need some encouragement in the form of praise or appreciation now and then, but if ever there were a time to engage the fullness of that word, it is now.

Webster's 1828 dictionary defines "encourage" this way:

To give courage to; to give or increase confidence of success; to inspire with courage, spirit, or strength of mind; to embolden; ...

 

"To give courage to." That's a tall order for a greeting card or emoticon in an email. But God's word is up to the task!

"Now we beseech you brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of the Lord is at hand." 1 Thessalonians 2:1-2

This passage is about end things. And when troubling times come, don't our thoughts seem to jump there? My purpose isn't to discuss eschatology, but to focus on our  hope--the coming of Jesus and our gathering together.

That is a sure event, a true promise, and it should definitely give us courage no matter what our  circumstances. Is our problem that of being "shaken in mind?" Do current events make us fearful instead of faithful?  Then we must cling to God more closely for He will comfort us.  

"In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge." Proverbs 14:26

Are we troubled by spirit or word? Is our faith weak in the face of criticism? Are we afraid because being a Christian is unpopular  and contrary to the spirit of this age?  Then we need to ask the Lord to help strengthen our faith and help us to commit and submit to Him. We must become fixed--not in the sense of repaired, but in the sense of staying on target.  Let us say like the Psalmist, "My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise." [Psalm 57:7].

Are we troubled by so called Christians who claim to know just when the end will be? Are we discerning of the truth? Then let us dig deeper in God's word for wisdom!  Take courage because the time of the end isn't something man can pinpoint beforehand [Mark 13:32]. Our charge is to live expectantly and obediently. Peter described these days and reasoned, "Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness..." 2 Peter 3:11

Courage isn't just a feeling we drum up on demand, it is something we learn through our relationship with the Lord. There is purpose in troubles--they teach us to trust Him.  Paul said that we can even glory in tribulations because we know that "tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope; and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." [Romans 5:3-5]

Rather than expecting encouragement to come in the form of others appreciating what we do, let us be encouraged to continue doing what we do for Jesus' glory!

The Lord is exalted....And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the Lord is his treasure.---Isaiah 33:5-6