Christian Living

Encouragers

by paul hoffmaster
02/25/26
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At the college I attended, we had a formidable track star who would qualify for Nationals every year.  Our track team had average athletes, of which I was one.  Whenever he raced, people would fill the bleachers to see him run.  What was interesting was how much he relied on others to help him perfect his skill.  During practices, he would ask some of his friends to take positions around the track with stopwatches in their hands.  As he would run by, they would call out his time as he passed them.  By doing this simple task, he was able to gauge how his training was going.  During the actual track meets, several athletes, before their event, would assume their positions around the oval, and as he passed by, they would yell words of encouragement.  When he seemed to be lagging, they would run a few yards beside him, rooting him on.  After the race, he would gather his “coaches” and thank them.

It is the same way with Christians; we all need assistance and encouragement.  In our spiritual training, there are times when we become discouraged, and we let our guard down.  Bible reading becomes sporadic.  Prayer time fades into simple prayers of habit.  Church attendance becomes more of a pressured obligation than a time of active worship and praise, which lifts us into the realm of the Heavenlies.  The Christian walk is not an easy journey.  It is not meant to be a solo walk, but a team run as we all strive for the finish line.  There have been times when the challenges of life have hit Believers like a tsunami.  Wave after wave of discouragement has swept over many Christians.  Some Believers never acknowledge the difficulties they may be experiencing; instead, they put on a smiling face, like everything is all right.  Christians are never meant to be a Lone Ranger.  We know that Jesus abides within every Believer, but He also abides in our Believing friends, and when two of us agree, Jesus plays an active role. (Matthew 18:19)

After Saul (Paul) was converted, he would eventually travel to Jerusalem to introduce himself to the church leadership.  The Apostles were afraid that he was an impostor and, as a result, declined to meet him.  Paul must have been disappointed and discouraged.  A fellow Believer known as Barnabas decided to intervene.  He made an appointment with the Apostles to meet with him and Saul.  At the meeting, Barnabas told them of what happened to Saul and how he had boldly preached at Damascus the name of Jesus. (Acts 9:26, 27)  Hearing the evidence that Saul was in effect a true Believer, they extended the right hand of fellowship.

Paul could have been discouraged by the apostles' rejection and could have gone back to Damascus and limit his ministry to the locals, but encouraged by Barnabas, which means, Son of encouragement (Acts 4:36). The walls of limitation were removed, and the Gospel was opened to all “whosoever’s.