It Is Good to Be Thankful: Appreciation makes the world a better place…
I’ve been reading biblical accounts about Barnabas. His real name was Joseph, but was given the name Barnabas by the apostles which means “Son of Encouragement.” (Acts 4:36) What a lovely nickname! Synonyms for encouragement might be to bolster, alleviate, reassure, console, comfort, restore, strengthen, brighten, refresh, and inspire.
Those of us who have people like Barnabas in our lives are indeed fortunate. I’ve had a few and I can tell you I’m truly thankful for them. They have that rare ability to walk alongside you and make you feel like what you are doing has value.
Plus, Barnabas could discern beyond what others only saw on the surface. Perhaps that’s why he had a crucial role in the apostles accepting Paul’s conversion. Why would anyone believe Paul had accepted Jesus? After all, he had tried to destroy the early Christian movement. He aggressively persecuted believers, imprisoned them, and did everything he could to get them to renounce their faith. No way the apostles would ever believe Paul had changed. Yet, Barnabas had perceived the change in Paul and spoke up for him. (Acts 9:27) I’m sure Paul found that very encouraging.
Encouragement is so important because it goes straight to the heart of a person. In fact, in Latin “en” means to “put into” and “cor” means “the heart.” Put into the heart. I’ve heard it said that one word of encouragement during a failure is worth more than a hundred words of praise during a success. The Bible is full of scriptures exhorting us to encourage each other. (Ephesians 4:29, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Hebrews 13:3, etc.)
I look at encouragers as Christ’s representatives here on earth. Their mission is to “put into the heart” of people the thought that they are appreciated and that someone cares. When we are encouraged, it should inspire us to encourage others because encouragement is a two-way street—a win-win scenario. Not only does it encourage the recipient, but the giver as well. (Romans 1:11-12)
*****
“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord...” ~ Psalms 92:1 (KJV)
