While reading Trillia Newbell’s Fear and Faith recently, I was struck by her reminder about how important it is to encourage each other and how we can do that well.

Encouragement points out the ways God is moving in the lives of others. Thus encouragement points others toward God.

Sometimes we are encouraged in a way that puts more pressure on us. If I did it well once, I must continue doing it perfectly from now on. People are watching! Right?

What if we encourage each other by pointing out what God has done (and is doing) in the lives of our sisters and brothers in Christ?

Referring to Romans 15:7, Newbell writes:

Now imagine if we had this mentality in us as we relate to our sisters in Christ. Imagine if we banded together with one voice proclaiming that Christ is enough and then proclaiming to our sisters the same—“Christ is enough!” Wow! How powerful that would be. I want you to know that Christ is enough. Those familiar verses and words about the Lord’s rejoicing over you aren’t to make you feel better. They are the truth.

In this way, we can rejoice together in the loving, gracious work of our Father. He is at work in the hearts and lives of his children, and that is greatly motivating!  When our eyes are together on Him, we will be well. We have confidence in His work when ours is, shall we say, completely inadequate. We can mutually benefit by seeing past grace in each other’s life, which will keep our eyes confidently looking for the grace to come.

We must aim to glorify the Lord in all we do and rest in the Savior, who doesn’t place on us pressures for perfection.

“I see God working in your life. Hallelujah! It will be beautiful to see Him continue that work as you continue to rest in Him.”