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The Value of Encouragement
God blessed me with a heart for running – feeling the ground beneath me as I push off step-by-step and my heart pumping more quickly with each stride.
At my last half marathon, I found the typical wooded trails and peaceful views surrounding the course replaced by 22 laps around 3 softball fields – not ideal! Upon further investigation, I learned it was an informal race organized by a small group of runners – 20 or so – who were in the midst of a 7 half marathons in 7 days in 7 states sprint. No wonder the turnout was small.
I considered giving up many times as I passed 66 softball fields. Stepping off, throwing in the towel, calling it a day, telling myself the distance I had gone was enough. My muscles were tired, my feet were numb and my mind was telling me relief was a step away if I would Just. Stop. Running.
Then, something happened.
“Keep going!” “You’re doing great!” “You’re almost there!”
Cheers. Encouragement. From strangers. Running beside me, enduring the same pain, cheering me on by name (they wrote our names on our racing bibs). I wasn’t alone. I had friends fighting beside me. Keeping me going. We endured and finished together.
Thinking back to that race I laugh at how terrible the course was, how the other crazy runners had 6 more half marathons to run, but mostly I remember how encouraging the people were. How mentally and physically difficult it would have been to run that distance alone.
How much more difficult would it be to “fight the good fight of faith” Paul mentions in 1 Timothy 6 alone, especially when the endurance God calls for is far greater than a few hours on a race course?
In Hebrews 10:24-25, the writer instructs us to “consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 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.”
In addition to bringing lost souls to Christ, we should diligently seek opportunities to build up our “teammates”, those running alongside us on the same course, towards the finish line when the run is no longer new and exciting, but strenuous and trying.
In the same light, 1 Peter gives us more guidance on how to build one another up.
“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace.” (1 Peter 4:8-10)
Encouragement, love, hospitality and service to others fighting the good fight serves as a reminder during the race of what we are suffering for.
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you." (1 Peter 4:12-14)
And also where true comfort comes from – the God of all comfort.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-7)
