18/08/2026
K.G.@ L.A's Tales of encouragement
(Keep Growing, and Loving Always)
I 'spoke' last time about DISCOURAGEMENT, and how it is Satan's MAIN
TOOL in his large bag of tricks, which he uses to DECEIVE us, and this week I
will share some thoughts from my first ever 'writing' about
ENCOURAGMENT. (From mid- 2022)
Encouragement is a TWO-WAY street, we will get encouraged by
encouraging others, I challenge you to try it, IT WORKS, I know.
Last time I wrote we talked about DISCOURAGEMENT, and how Satan
uses it to DEFLATE us, as Christians, and to rob is of our JOY, and motivation
to SERVE God.
I and this time to ENCOURAGE you to think about ENCOURAGEMENT,
and how it effects YOU.
I would like for you to think about a time in your life, when you felt
encouraged by something, or somebody, and to remember how GOOD, and
INVINCIBLE it made you feel,when you 'stepped-out', and DID IT. Maybe
you were encouraged to do something that you were previously a bit hesitant to
do, or try.
The Bible instructs us to encourage one another--
1Thess 5:11;-- “Therefore encourage one another and build one another
up, just as you are doing”.
The word enCOURAGEment speaks of COURAGE that us help us
face life’s journey, where it is a know FACT that we will encounter more
discouragement than encouragement.
To encourage means to 'build up' or to 'empower' (Either way
encouragement is a POWERFUL TOOL)
Barnabas was known as the 'Son of encouragement', because of his
encouragement in recommending Paul to the early Church leaders, who were
hesitant to trust this man, who had previously persecuted the Church. Luke
writes---
Acts 4:36a,37 ;-- ”Joseph, a Levite, and a Cypriot by birth, the one the
apostles called Barnabas, which is translated 'Son of Encouragement'
, sold
a field he owned and brought the money to the Apostles. ”(That was
encouraging thing to do, so his recommendation of Paul.s acceptance would3
have 'pulled some weight'. ).
In the Gospel of John, he records the reassuring, and encouraging words
of JESUS –
John 16:33 ;-- “I have told you these things so that IN ME, you may
have peace. YOU WILL have suffering in this world, but be
courageous! I have OVERCOME the world.” (That is also encouraging ,
Jesus has DONE IT ALL, now we can find REST IN HIM.)
Charles Stanley once said, “Discouragement is a CHOICE”,
He was referring to the fact that God is the ultimate ENCOURAGER, and
how we can only find real peace, and encouragement IN HIM, and not IN this
world. (We get to CHOOSE whether we live IN HIM, or IN the 'WORLD')
Jesus proved His VICTORY over Satan, when on that third day, He
ROSE from the death that He died, FOR YOU, and FOR ME, on that rough
Roman cross, 2000 year ago, NOW Jesus offers His resurrected life to us,
who have TRUSTED in Him, as our Lord, and Saviour. (He now lives in
us, through His Spirit)
As Christians, we have the Creator of this universe, living inside of us,
(What more encouragement do we need?!! ).
BUT we still NEED those BARBABAS like people in our lives, who go
that 'extra mile' with us, when we are going through tough times, or simply
become 'DERAILED', and our FOCUS becomes blurred.
We need that friend who 'CARES', who gives us a call, and comes
around to check up on us.
I feel 'blessed' to have a couple of these 'Barnabas like' people in my
life, who drop in to have coffee and a chat a couple of times a week.
Whilst it is good to be encouraged, I believe that God is continually
reminding us of OUR RESPONSIBILITY, to ask Him, “Who do You want
me to be a Barnabas too”?
My prayer is that you find a Barnabas in your life, BUT more importantly, that
you may become a 'Barnabas' to someone else.
God bless, and see you soon!
