In a word: encouragement

Encouragement

“Therefore encourage one another and build up one another….” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

“that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ Himself…” Colossians 2:2


What if we considered this our life’s work? To encourage and build up one another?
What would friendship look like if this were it’s goal? or marriage, parenting, time spent with fellow workers, time spent in our neighborhoods, or with our church fellows?

The Greek word, parakaleo (Strong’s 3870 ) includes the concept of proximity. Calling someone to your side, for strengthening, encouragement, comfort, instruction etc.

Webster’s definition of encourage is worth meditating on…

encourage

Etymology: Middle English encoragen, from Middle French encoragier, from Old French, from en- corage courage1 : to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope : HEARTEN2 : to spur on : STIMULATE3 : to give help or patronage to : FOSTER- en·cour·ag·er nounthe synonyms ENCOURAGE, INSPIRIT, HEARTEN, EMBOLDEN mean to fill with courage or strength of purpose. ENCOURAGE suggests the raising of one's confidence especially by an external agency . INSPIRIT, somewhat literary, implies instilling life, energy, courage, or vigor into something . HEARTEN implies the lifting of dispiritedness or despondency by an infusion of fresh courage or zeal . EMBOLDEN implies the giving of courage sufficient to overcome timidity or reluctance .

I desire to live as an encourager. Will you also? I too, need life giving, courage building, heart strengthening, filling up.