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Paul obviously felt encouragement (exhortation in some translations) was important - He listed it as one of the 16 spiritual gifts
Romans 12:8 (NIV) If it (his gift) is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Paul valued and used encouragers. He sent several people to various churches primarily to encourage. He sent Barnabus to Jerusalem for the same reason. And he sent Tychus to the Ephesians & Corinthians.
There were encouragers in the Old Testament as well.
Joshua encouraged Moses, as did Moses' father in law. Caleb, in turn encouraged Joshua.
The word is not used about Jesus, but did he ever encourage?
Absolutely. Early in his ministry Jesus encouraged disciples to preach and perform miracles in his name. He often encouraged those he forgave, and those who had faith. He often encouraged the lowly, poor and despised
After his resurrection, he encouraged Peter to rise above his denial of Christ the night of Jesus’ trial.
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What is encouraging/Exhortation?
If you begin with dictionary definitions you will read that encouraging has changed a little over the ages.
In the 1500’s it meant "to inspire with courage." In the 1500’s it mean "to inspire with courage sufficient for any undertaking, to embolden." By the 1600s, it had also come to mean "to stimulate a person or a person's efforts
by approval, reward or assistance."
How have you been encouraged through your life? Think back not just on who encouraged you, but what they did that provided you with encouragement. Make a list of their actions.
If encouragement is one of your gifts, these actions probably come easily to you.
If encouragement is one of your gifts, you probably have a knack for knowing what will encourage certain people.
If you are an encourager, you probably encourage people often, almost as a
second nature.
So, if you are an encourager, how can you put this to work spiritually?
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