The Power of Encouragement: Strengthening Hearts and Advancing God’s Work
- Jack Selcher
- Sep 23, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Summary
Discouragement drains joy and hope, but encouragement restores strength and purpose. God encouraged Paul through people, provision, His presence, and open doors, using the same channels today. Scripture and the Holy Spirit strengthen believers, yet God also calls Christians to encourage one another intentionally. By recognizing others’ strengths and serving together, believers advance the gospel and fulfill their purpose as “saints in circulation.”
Discouragement: The Leukemia of the Spirit
Dr. Howard Hendricks described discouragement as leukemia of the spirit. Daily living is like wading through waist-deep muck. You are drained. Your hope leaks away. Your joy evaporates.
The Transforming Power of Encouragement
There is hope! Don't underestimate the power of encouragement. A generous dose of encouragement energizes you almost instantly. It does the same for others.
Your pastor is most motivated to prepare another sermon after positive feedback from the last one. If your only gift to the church were encouragement, the church could accomplish far more with you than without you.
How God Encouraged Paul
Paul was encouraged in four ways in Acts 18. The Lord uses the same encouragement channels today.
Who paints a house today that will be torn down next week? What is the point? You want your life to make other people’s lives better. Others want the same.
Encouragement Through People, Presence, and Provision
Silas and Timothy encouraged Paul tremendously. They shared good news about the Christians in Thessalonica and a financial gift from the church in Philippi (1 Thessalonians 3:6-7). Their encouragement motivated Paul to devote himself to preaching the gospel in Corinth.
Jesus graciously appeared to Paul and encouraged him not to fear but to keep preaching in Corinth. He promised His presence (Acts 18:10), that no harm would come to him, and a fruitful ministry.
God’s Word and Spirit as Sources of Strength
Expect the Lord to encourage you through His word, Spirit, and others.
The Greek word for comfort includes both comfort and strength. The Bible is God’s gift to warn, exhort, and encourage you.
In addition, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to comfort, strengthen, and encourage you. But do not expect the Bible and the Holy Spirit to do all the work.
The Call to Encourage One Another
Who has encouraged you? 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Hebrews 3:13, and Hebrews 10:25 command you to encourage other believers.
Look for their strengths. Applaud those strengths enthusiastically when they use them. They will want to use them more. You will make an incredible difference in their lives.
Open Doors as Signs of God’s Work
Open doors should encourage you. Paul’s opponents charged him with teaching an illegal religion. Gallio, the Romans’ proconsul, tried the case. His refusal to declare Christianity illegal opened the door to the further spread of the gospel. In the United States, Christianity is a legal religion. The doors of ministry are wide open.
Be a Saint in Circulation
Fellow laborers Priscilla, Aquila, and Apollos encouraged Paul. In his absence, they carried on a vital, life-changing ministry. Paul was not in the battle alone. Neither are you. You are part of a team. God has something for you to do.
During the reign of Oliver Cromwell, an English general and statesman, the government ran out of silver to make coins. Cromwell melted down the statues of the saints on display in various cathedrals. He put the silver into circulation.
Be a saint in circulation. Spread much encouragement. That is part of your purpose on earth! See additional free spiritual growth resources for Christians.
God has empowered me to write His Power for Your Weakness—260 Steps Toward Spiritual Strength. It’s a free, evangelistic, devotional, and discipleship e-book. Pastors have used it in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia to lead 7,541 people to Christ and teach the basics of Christianity to 17,361 people. I invite you to explore and use it in your setting.
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