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The Best Encouragement

Published on by Kim

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.”

Work & Rest

Published on by Kim

So we’ve talked about working restfully — now what does that mean practically? How does that look? Here are a few ways those principles might be reflected in your life. There are many possible ways, so feel free to share your own!

  • When you hear the familiar refrain, “I should do this…,” make like a two-year-old and ask, “Why?” If that becomes the automatic response, you will have the opportunity to check your heart. Why should you? Because you will please others? Because God will drop you like a hot potato if you don’t measure up? Because it looks good? Because someone said so? Because it’s there?
    If you are pleasing others or trying to look good to the world in general, remind yourself that there is One you desire to please most of all. Will this action please Him? If you are trying to earn God’s love, remind yourself that He loves you out of Himself– not because of your work. You are free to bake the cupcakes or buy the cupcakes (or skip the cupcakes) because you are still His beloved child either way. If you don’t have a good reason at all, redirect yourself to what you know you need to do today.
  • Set a timer periodically throughout your day for a few minutes of just stopping in your tracks. It’s a mini-reset. (The beautiful thing about snoozing an alarm on your phone is that you can put off the few minutes for actual urgent activities that can’t pause in that moment, but you won’t lose the need for stopping.) Take the time to breathe and check your heart and activities. If you aren’t on the right track, now is the time to adjust.

  • Take a nap — if possible, when possible. Just 20 minutes in and out will recharge your body and mind for the rest of the day.