From the Head of  Junior School - Brooklyn Park

Be a Barnabas: The Power of Encouragement

I’ve been reminded a lot recently about the power of encouragement. I’ve shared before about my Dad, who has always been an active encourager of others. As a kid, I remember seeing my Dad calling people just to encourage them in something they had done or were doing, or going out of his way to tell them face-to-face. You could see people’s demeanour lift as they listened to the encouragement that he shared with them. 

One of our church connect group members is an absolute dynamo when it comes to encouragement. He frequently shares encouraging verses, thoughts, and prayers in our connect group chat. It’s impossible to read them without feeling uplifted and encouraged in faith. It often triggers me in that moment to pray or go to God’s word too.

This is the power of encouragement!

I recently read a definition that states that ‘encouragement creates belief’. When someone speaks truth, hope and affirmation into our lives, it strengthens our confidence in what God is doing and helps us to keep moving forward. 

There is a reason why the Bible repeatedly reminds us to encourage each other. It’s not just about making each other feel good (although that’s certainly a great thing), but it’s about supporting each other as we grow in Christ and build our faith together.

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of      you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:13

Barnabas was an incredible encourager in the New Testament. I only recently discovered that his name was actually Joseph, but he was nicknamed Barnabas, which means ‘son of encouragement’ because of the dynamic way he encouraged others to know and faithfully follow Christ. 

The book of Acts documents Barnabas actively encouraging people in their faith as he travelled with Paul, preaching the Gospel.

When he [Barnabas] arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. Acts 11:23-24 

They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. Acts 14:21-22 

Encouragement is a great gift. One that is free to give away, yet is so wonderfully meaningful to receive. It strikes me that the giving and receiving of encouragement are definitely not equal. 

What little it takes to offer encouragement is so small compared to the impact that it has on the recipient. I’m sure we’ve all experienced this… When someone has encouraged us in some way, and we have continued thinking about those words for a long time after. The power of encouragement is great; the cost is really quite little… but do we use this enough? Can we use it more?

I’m encouraged to look for ways that I can meaningfully encourage others. In Proverbs 15:23 it says ‘A person finds joy in giving an apt reply and how good is a timely word!’ 

We should take every opportunity we can to share an encouraging word, a scripture, a prayer, or simply tell someone that we see the great things they are doing and to keep on going.

Be encouraged to do it right now! Pick up your phone and send someone a text or make a phone call, pray with and for someone. It takes so little effort, but the impact is so powerful!

So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:8

May we be a community known for building one another up. People who strengthen each other in faith, speak hope and point others towards Christ.

Marni Greenwood

Head of Junior School - Brooklyn Park