Midweek Inspiration
Blessings, Church!
It has been a few weeks since I sent out a Midweek Inspiration. I simply needed to take a
short break, but today I want to once again offer you a few words of encouragement.
Speaking of encouragement, when we receive salvation, we do not always consider how
deeply God desires to encourage His children. We know that He saves us, forgives us,
corrects us, and transforms us, but He also comforts and strengthens us and wants us to
know and believe this.
There will be times when we feel discouraged or “down in the dumps.” There will be
seasons when we are battling temptation, wrestling with disappointment, or facing
circumstances that have completely turned our day or even our lives upside down.
God is not absent in these moments.
He is not distant when our hearts are heavy. He does not abandon us when our strength is
failing. Instead, He meets us in our weakness and provides the encouragement we need to
continue walking faithfully with Him.
The Greek word translated as “encouragement” is paraklēsis. The word carries the idea of
comfort offered to someone in distress, encouragement that strengthens a person’s
resolve, and an earnest appeal that calls someone to respond. It presents the beautiful
picture of someone coming alongside another person to help, strengthen, and comfort
them.
This is what God does for His people. He comes alongside us, and He also works through
us so that we can come alongside others.
One of the primary ways God encourages us is through His Word. Romans 15:4 tells us:
“For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that
through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”
God gave us the Scriptures not only to instruct and correct us, but also to produce
endurance, comfort, and hope within us. When we read about God’s faithfulness to
Abraham, His patience with Moses, His protection of David, His restoration of Peter, and
His sustaining grace toward Paul, we are reminded that the same God remains faithful to
us today.The Bible does not pretend that God’s people never struggle. Scripture openly tells us
about their fears, failures, grief, doubts, and disappointments. Yet it also shows us that God
remained present and faithful through every difficulty.
When we feel afraid, God’s Word reminds us:
Isaiah 41:10 – “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will
strengthen you, I will also help you, I will also uphold you with My righteous right
hand.”
When we feel spiritually weak, His Word declares:
2 Corinthians 12:9 –
weakness. ”
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in
When our hearts are overwhelmed, we can pray with the psalmist:
Psalm 119:28 –
word.”
“My soul weeps because of grief; Strengthen me according to Your
When we feel uncertain about the future, Scripture assures us that God is already there.
When temptation tells us that we cannot overcome, His Word reminds us that He will
provide a way of escape. When the Devil or shame reminds us of our past, the gospel
reminds us that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Biblical encouragement is more than positive thinking. It does not deny the reality of our
pain or pretend that everything is easy. God’s encouragement gives us the strength to face
reality while continuing to trust Him. It reminds us that our circumstances do not have the
final word, but God does.
Sometimes God will encourage us through a verse we have read many times before. At
other times, He will use a sermon, a devotional, a worship song rooted in Scripture, or a
brother or sister in Christ who shares the right word at the right moment. However it comes,
genuine spiritual encouragement will always lead us back to the truth of who God is and
what He has promised.
God also encourages us so that we can encourage others. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 calls Him
“the God of all comfort,” who comforts us in our troubles so that we may comfort others
with the comfort we have received from Him.The encouragement God gives us is not meant to stop with us. Someone around you may
need to hear what God has taught you. Your testimony, phone call, text, prayer, Scripture,
or simple words of kindness may be the very means God uses to strengthen another
person’s heart.
Church, if you are discouraged today, open the Word of God. Do not wait until you feel
better. Bring your tired heart, troubling thoughts, unanswered questions, and weakened
faith to the Scriptures. Ask the Holy Spirit to remind you of what is true.
God sees you. God has not forgotten you. God is still working, even when you cannot yet
see the results. His Word is still true, His promises remain secure, and His grace is
sufficient for this moment.
Be encouraged and then go encourage someone else.
In His Love
Pastor Lu