December 9th, 2024
by Pastor Luke
by Pastor Luke
Christian Encouragement in a Discouraging World
It’s December 9th which means we are just a few weeks away from Christmas. You might be trying to close deals, scrambling to meet the needs of your clients, or your rushing around trying to attend all of your children’s Christmas plays and musicals. Maybe you are planning your office work Christmas party, or you’re the one dreading having to attend it. Your children have made a costly Christmas list that has you bewildered, and your in-laws just informed you their headed to town and need to use your spare bedroom that hasn’t been cleaned since the Christmas before. Oh, and you still haven’t finished your Christmas shopping and can’t find the wrapping paper you stored away from last year.
It’s Christmas!
Isn’t this suppose to be “the season of perpetual hope!” -Kevin McAllister’s Mom, Home Alone II
Seriously though, shouldn’t the festivities of the season bring encouragement and hope? Should’t the parties and plays bring a sense of peace and wonder? Shouldn’t the music and food bring a sense of joy and love? Sure, occasionally they do. But do the decorations and presents and parties mislead us to believe everything is merry and bright, when in reality there are hurting and discouraged people everywhere we look?
And are you one of them?
Hear me out - I am a half-cup-full kind of guy, but the power of a commercialized Christmas loses a little bit more of it’s power over me each year.
If we are honest with ourselves, the holidays can remind us of just how bitter and discouraging of a world we live in, when we stop long enough to see through the tinsel. The world in which we live doesn’t know how to encourage. A world without Christ cannot know how. The proof is everywhere. Broken people breaking people. Hurting people hurting people. We must look elsewhere for the encouragement our souls need.
Discouragement is like inclement weather in Indiana - it can sneak up on you and hit out of nowhere.
For example, the news cycle is discouraging because encouraging news isn’t dramatic enough to sell and gain viewers. What about the unhappy and demanding client emails that are filling your inbox? Unhappy clients are a recipe for discouragement. What about the toy commercials your kids watch that give them an unrealistic expectation of Christmas morning? That will leave a parent discouraged knowing they’re kids might be disappointed. (Turn the TV off!)
Just because it’s the most wonderful time of the year doesn’t mean it’s the most wonderful time of your year.
What hope does a Christian have to stay encouraged when the pressures of life build, disappointment sets in, and discouragement claims your day? More peppermint mochas might help ease the afternoon, but more insulation will never resolve that nagging discouraging feeling you carry inside you.
Enter the Word.
Christians have a treasure in the written Word of God. There we will find the antidote to discouragement.
My mentor, Brian Clark, reminded Salt & Light yesterday morning of the importance of living from a place of encouragement and giving from a place of encouragement.
After all, you cannot give what you do not possess.
If you are discouraged, giving encouragement is an impossibility.
Barnabas who is mentioned in Acts 9, means “Son of Encouragement” - this is such a beautiful and powerful ministry that Barnabas has. Barnabas comes along side Saul, made Paul, and vouches for him. Barnabas ensures the other disciples that Saul’s conversion was legitimate, and that he can be included in the mission of Jesus.
In Acts 11:24, Barnabas is mentioned again encouraging Christians to remain devoted to the Lord and love Him with all their hearts.
Every Christian needs a Barnabas in their life. Someone who will come along side of you and offer you encouragement when you need it most.
If you cannot find a Barnabas in your life, it will be all but impossible to stay regularly encouraged. Likewise, if your inner-circle is discouraging, you will slowly adopt the tendencies of those closest to you and suffer under the weight of on-going discouragement.
Encouraged people encourage people.
Discouraged people discourage people.
Ian Swyers, a new friend of mine who volunteers on Salt & Light’s teaching team sent me this scripture today - divinely timed I would say: And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
Find your Barnabas, stay encouraged.
Be a Barnabas, be the encourager.
stay salty. be bright.
Pastor Luke
It’s Christmas!
Isn’t this suppose to be “the season of perpetual hope!” -Kevin McAllister’s Mom, Home Alone II
Seriously though, shouldn’t the festivities of the season bring encouragement and hope? Should’t the parties and plays bring a sense of peace and wonder? Shouldn’t the music and food bring a sense of joy and love? Sure, occasionally they do. But do the decorations and presents and parties mislead us to believe everything is merry and bright, when in reality there are hurting and discouraged people everywhere we look?
And are you one of them?
Hear me out - I am a half-cup-full kind of guy, but the power of a commercialized Christmas loses a little bit more of it’s power over me each year.
If we are honest with ourselves, the holidays can remind us of just how bitter and discouraging of a world we live in, when we stop long enough to see through the tinsel. The world in which we live doesn’t know how to encourage. A world without Christ cannot know how. The proof is everywhere. Broken people breaking people. Hurting people hurting people. We must look elsewhere for the encouragement our souls need.
Discouragement is like inclement weather in Indiana - it can sneak up on you and hit out of nowhere.
For example, the news cycle is discouraging because encouraging news isn’t dramatic enough to sell and gain viewers. What about the unhappy and demanding client emails that are filling your inbox? Unhappy clients are a recipe for discouragement. What about the toy commercials your kids watch that give them an unrealistic expectation of Christmas morning? That will leave a parent discouraged knowing they’re kids might be disappointed. (Turn the TV off!)
Just because it’s the most wonderful time of the year doesn’t mean it’s the most wonderful time of your year.
What hope does a Christian have to stay encouraged when the pressures of life build, disappointment sets in, and discouragement claims your day? More peppermint mochas might help ease the afternoon, but more insulation will never resolve that nagging discouraging feeling you carry inside you.
Enter the Word.
Christians have a treasure in the written Word of God. There we will find the antidote to discouragement.
My mentor, Brian Clark, reminded Salt & Light yesterday morning of the importance of living from a place of encouragement and giving from a place of encouragement.
After all, you cannot give what you do not possess.
If you are discouraged, giving encouragement is an impossibility.
Barnabas who is mentioned in Acts 9, means “Son of Encouragement” - this is such a beautiful and powerful ministry that Barnabas has. Barnabas comes along side Saul, made Paul, and vouches for him. Barnabas ensures the other disciples that Saul’s conversion was legitimate, and that he can be included in the mission of Jesus.
In Acts 11:24, Barnabas is mentioned again encouraging Christians to remain devoted to the Lord and love Him with all their hearts.
Every Christian needs a Barnabas in their life. Someone who will come along side of you and offer you encouragement when you need it most.
If you cannot find a Barnabas in your life, it will be all but impossible to stay regularly encouraged. Likewise, if your inner-circle is discouraging, you will slowly adopt the tendencies of those closest to you and suffer under the weight of on-going discouragement.
Encouraged people encourage people.
Discouraged people discourage people.
Ian Swyers, a new friend of mine who volunteers on Salt & Light’s teaching team sent me this scripture today - divinely timed I would say: And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
Find your Barnabas, stay encouraged.
Be a Barnabas, be the encourager.
stay salty. be bright.
Pastor Luke
4 Comments
Oh yes! It is easy to be what the world is. It is only by God's supernatural grace, power and filling of our mind with His truth that we can be the opposite.
Amen!
Thank you Luke for the very timely message!
You’re welcome!
nLove it!