Author Rob Bentz describes encouragement as “a blast of gospel-centered truth into a mundane and murky situation.” As Christ followers, and especially as those who seek to minister to others, we need encouragement. “It”s something we must passionately pursue for ourselves and intentionally seek to offer to others on the journey,” Bentz says in his book, The Unfinished Church: God”s Broken and Redeemed Work-in-Progress (Crossway Books, www.crossway.org).
What can we do about this tremendous need in our lives? Bentz provides three straightforward suggestions:
1. Seek it out. Invite close friends, mature believers, and people whose faith journey you admire to speak into your life.
2. Make room. Give these people the holy space to encourage you. Give them permission to comfort and counsel you.
3. Be humble. Your encourager”s words may not always be what you want to hear, but they may be exactly what you need to hear.
When giving encouragement, be sure it is gospel-centered, Christ-honoring, Spirit-led, church-building, and individual-strengthening communication. Use those five tests before giving any encouragement. For more information about this book, go to robbentz.com.
“”Michael C. Mack
Author: Michael C. Mack
Michael C. Mack is editor of Christian Standard. He has served in churches in Ohio, Indiana, Idaho, and Kentucky. He has written more than 25 books and discussion guides as well as hundreds of magazine, newspaper, and web-based articles.
