How to be an encourager!

This was a impromptu short sharing that I shared with the NE CLs last Saturday through a leading by the Holy Spirit I guess... Thought it can be useful for some of us so here it goes!

Introduction:

Serving in the Kingdom is one of the most exciting and rewarding experience you can have in life, however sometimes challenges may come on its way and attempt to bring down the morale and determination of the Kingdom workers. As leaders, shepherds and Christians, we ought to learn in how to become effective encourager. God can use us to shine light upon others' life when they are walking through their darkest valley.

1) Start with yourself (especially if you are a co-partner affected by the challenges faced)

- Many people whine and grumble at the face of challenging situations but not many people will choose to attempt in understanding God's intention in the persisting circumstance- take time to think and try to understand why would God allow such situations in your life. How?

- Bible says that we can give thanks to God in all circumstance: Ask yourself- What can I give thanks to God for in this situation? If you are able to answer this, perhaps you can see clearly God's intention for your life. (E.g. for really bad situations- at least I learnt something new today which I can apply the next time when such similar situations arise again)

- Claim God's promises. My full conviction is that God's Word will stand true and fulfills itself and all God's promises are 'Yes' and 'Amen'. The disappointing results you see right now do not justify God's Word and all that is to come.

- Have a vision of preferred future- what you think God can do in your life, in others' lives and in your surrounding situations- Have that hope and belief that will lift your spirit up!

- Lastly, make the DECISION to trust and believe for greater things ahead in God

2) Spread it to others

- Now that you are encouraged yourself, you are already to spread this hope for the future in others' lives too!

- Never start off by preaching- take time to listen and understand what they are or have been going through- their feelings, thoughts and desires; their disappointment, concerns and struggles. Empathize. Reflect their inner happenings.

- Discouraged people are normally pessimistic and have the "Chicken Little" syndrome- The World is Falling!!! As a by-stander you can see things in a more objective manner- point out to them what you see differently- magnify the hopes in the current situations and affirm the strengths you see in this individual that you are trying to encourage

- This can be a great asset and bonus of your attempt to encourage others: indicate that you understand them, that you went through something similar to their current experience and how you resolve and overcome the earlier challenges or simply the lessons which you learned from what you went through

- If you don't have such similar experience, you can honestly share about it and admit that you may not understand exactly what they are going through but certainly you are here to understand what's going on and that you are really to give any form of support for this person to the best of your ability and according to the needs (not wants) of this person

- Show them the possibility and hopes behind the situations and affirm their strengths

- Help them to claim promises from the Word- an anchor verse or something. Offer an prayer on the spot for them. Pray for them constantly in your personal time too.

- Action plan! Come up with an initial contract with this person. Some decisions they have to make such as deciding to trust God, to believe in seeing the ideal results in His appointed timing and to continue in obedience towards God. Make such action plans as concrete as possible.

- Lastly, follow-up with this person. Assure them that we are all in this together in the change/growth/moulding process. Meet/ call them up few days later to find out how they are doing and see if there's any improvements. What works? Continue that. What didn't work? How can things be done differently to see desired changes.

Conclusion:

We must impart godly faith and belief to those around or under us.
3 seconds rule- be discourage for 3 seconds and MOVE ON!
Discouragement is one of the greatest weapon the devil use to distract us- do be foolish and fall into his trap- Be wise and follow God in TRUST and OBEDIENCE!

Listening: Dennis nagging at me to pass his laptop back to him!