The Value of Encouragement

I was recently attending a breakout session at the 2025 Gospel Coalition National Conference and the speaker brought up the value of encouraging a young pastor. That got me to thinking about the idea of encouragement. What are some situations in which you can offer encouragement to someone? Here are a few possibilities:

To a co-worker struggling with the demands of the jobTo an exhausted young momTo someone dealing with agingTo a friend who longs to move into a leadership positionTo a friend who is facing financial pressuresTo your pastor who is facing burnoutTo your spouse on just an ordinary dayTo a friend who has just received a devastating medical diagnosisTo a student struggling with a classTo friends who long to have a child but have not to date

I’m sure you can think of many more situations. We can also look at it from another perspective. In what situations are you facing in which you could use encouragement?

The Bible has much to say about encouragement. Be encouraged by these ten passages:

Hebrews 10:24-25
24  And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 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.

1 Thessalonians 5:11
11  Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Isaiah 40:31
31  but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.

Joshua 1:9
9  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

John 16:33
33  I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Isaiah 41:10
10  fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

1 Corinthians 15:58
58  Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Romans 8:28
28  And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Psalm 31:24
24  Be strong, and let your heart take courage,
all you who wait for the Lord!

Isaiah 43:2
2  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.

Yes, life can be hard in so many ways. But friends, I pray that you are encouraged today and that you will be an encouragement to others.