Gift of Encouragement

January 18th, 2026
by Marti Johnston

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." - Hebrews 10:24–25

Encouraging one another—did you know that this is a spiritual gift? I do, because it is a gift I have been given. I love to encourage others, especially the women in our church and those I come in contact with. I love to let people know that they are important and that they matter. It is something that comes easily to me. Even if encouragement is not your specific spiritual gift, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to encourage someone today.
In Luke 5:17–24, we see how a paralyzed man’s friends did not just encourage him with words; they went above and beyond for him:

One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick. Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.

When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.”
- Luke 5:17–24

Those men carried their friend on a mat, climbed the stairs, and literally tore the roof off so they could bring him to Jesus. Do you have a friend like that? Someone who is willing to carry you the extra mile when life gets hard? More importantly, are you able to be that person for someone else?

We all struggle and have challenges in our lives. Often, we have to decide: do we share them with others and ask for prayer, or do we hold them inside, thinking we can do it on our own? Sharing our struggles is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of faith.
One of the things I’ve learned over the past year since losing Nate is that friends are so important. Sometimes encouragement isn't about saying the perfect thing; it’s just about letting people know you care.

This week, I am asking you to think about someone you could encourage. Send them a text, call them on the phone, or meet them for a coffee date. Just let them know how much they matter to you. Also, if God prompts your heart about someone, stop and pray for them—and then let them know you did. Listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. He may even surprise you with what He asks you to do.

Posted in Women\'s Ministry