Be encouraged, not discouraged

With war in Europe and floods in eastern Australia, there’s plenty to be discouraged about. But did you know that there is also plenty to be encouraged about?

In Thessalonica

The letter of 2 Thessalonians tells Christians how to face difficult times, in this case it was facing false teaching. The key verse is 2:15 which says, “stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to you both in person and by letter” (NLT). That meant to follow the teaching given by the apostles, which is now in the New Testament.

Then Paul wrote a prayer, “May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word” (2 Th. 2:16-17NIV).

This shows that both God the Father and God the Son (Jesus Christ) answer prayer. And they give us four things:
– Love (like the gift of salvation through Christ’s sacrificial death)
– Eternal encouragement (like our sin has been forgiven)
– Good hope (like a promised future with the Lord)
– Strength (like being able to put the principles of the Bible into practice)

God encourages us with His promises in the Bible. The Christian has confidence now and forever because of these promises. And God always keeps His promises. That’s how the Scriptures can encourage us (see Appendix A).

In the Old Testament

Joshua led the Israelites when they occupied the promised land. God told him beforehand, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Dt. 31:8; Josh. 1:9). This was conditional on obedience to the law of Moses (Josh 1:7-8). During the conquest of Canaan “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” was mentioned two more times (Josh. 8:1; 10:25).

Near the end of his reign David told his son Solomon, “Do not be afraid or discouraged” when he instructed him to build the temple (1 Chron. 22:13; 28:20). Later when a vast enemy army approached them the people of Judah were told, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (2 Chron. 20:15, 17). And finally, when the Assyrian army invaded their land the people of Judah were told, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (2 Chron. 32:7).

God’s people were not to be discouraged when they faced a difficult situation. It shows that an awareness of God’s presence is a cure for discouragement.

Lessons for us

There are discouragements in our physical world, but there are encouragements in our spiritual world. If we watch the news of the world we can be discouraged, but if we read the Bible we can be encouraged. God encourages us with His presence and His promises in the Bible which are centered on the gospel (Appendix B). We all need the encouragement God gives. A bright future in eternity awaits those who trust in Him.

Don’t follow your feelings or seek encouragement only from circumstances, as you will be disappointed. Don’t forsake the Lord when life gets tough. Instead, encourage yourself and others by remembering all that God has done and promises to do. We can rely on God’s word and His presence with us.

Appendix A: Exegesis of 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

Paul prayed that God would encourage and strengthen them inwardly in order to produce good deeds and good speech outwardly. Their greatest resource was God Himself. By mentioning both the Son and the Father, he is emphasizing their unity. Paul also mentions three things about God: He loved them, He gave them “eternal encouragement”, and He gave them “good hope”. Likewise, because of the gift of His Son for us, our sin has been forgiven and so believers have the eternal encouragement now and the hope of a future with the Lord. So, our source of encouragement and hope should be God’s promises in the Bible. Also, note that the Christian life is not just words to know, but deeds to do. All the principles of God’s word need to be put into practice. Otherwise, we are hypocrites if we say the right words but never apply these to ourselves.

Appendix B: Biblical ways to get encouraged

According to the New Testament, the most common ways to get lasting encouragement are to meditate on certain Scriptures, on the gospel message of salvation through Jesus Christ, on Christ’s return and on our Christian faith shared with other believers.

Let’s be encouraged by God’s promises in the Scriptures, in the good news of salvation, in Christ’s return and in the faith we share with other believers. These are all linked, with the gospel being the core message conveyed by the Scriptures and Christ’s return being the hope of the gospel. It’s interesting that these facts do not depend on our circumstances, but in fact bring encouragement amidst struggles and suffering.

Written, March 2022

Also see: Encouragement for difficult times
Standing firm against false teachings