31 But those who wait on 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.
(Isaiah 40:31 NKJV)
As we enter a New Season of the Liturgical Year, I want you to think about this, “How Could You Help
Someone Make A Dream Reality?”
In the King James text of the Bible, “ENCOURAGE” or “ENCOURAGEMENT” appears three-time-twice
-twice when men were told to encourage Joshua, who had been responsible for leading the Israelites into the
Promised Land. The third time it’s used by King David, who had commissioned Joab to see that Uriah, the
Hittite met his death.
Now, Uriah happened to be married to the beautiful Bathsheba, and David wanted him to be out of the picture
so that he could marry her. When Joab’s conscience bothered him because of the part he had played in
Uriah’s death, David sent men to encourage him with some rather feeble words of rationalization (read 2
Samuel 11:25).
If you want to encourage someone, try the following. Why not make this your promise to God during the
Lenten Season:
Let someone know you sincerely believe in him or her.
Sometimes a physical touch, a pat on the back, a firm handshake, a few simple words like “I know
you have what it takes-hang in there; I’m with you” can make a difference. Somebody has to believe
in the reality of the dream before it ever becomes a fact.
Make yourself available.
The greatest ability is “availability.” When someone shows and says, “I want to help; what can I
do?” that’s a real encouragement.
Help someone look beyond himself or herself to God.
Encourage someone or testify to someone that the only source of strength that lasts is God. Teach
them how to wait upon the Lord, who will renew their strength.
Let your encouragement be visible, eternal and vocal.
Look them in the eye, write it; just be sure to communicate it.
In focusing on encouragement, you may well find that you become a channel of blessing as God reaches
down and speaks through you to encourage others. Start today and see what a difference it makes.
Pastor Gideon Gallo
