Having the Courage to Be an Encouraging Leader.
“If, then, there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.”
—Philippians 2:1–2
Have you ever had a season of discouragement? A time when nothing seemed to go your way, when you felt attacked or mistreated, or when a difficult struggle seemed to shade everything in your life for the worse?
I know I’ve been there. It’s in times like these that I find myself clinging tightly to the encouragement of others. And it was a time like these that led Nehemiah to offer incredible encouragement to the Jewish people.
As Jewish people returned from exile in Persia, they found Judea and Jerusalem in shambles. Furthermore, many who had taken up residence in the land were very hostile to those returning. Through the encouragement and leadership of a man named Nehemiah, the Jews were able to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem, thus protecting themselves from those who wanted to harm them.
Here are a few things we learn from Nehemiah to encourage us in our own difficulties and help us to encourage others in theirs.
Encouragement Starts with Empathy
In the first chapter of the book, Nehemiah received word of the dire state of Jerusalem and how the small Jewish remnant there was living unprotected. “When I heard these words, I sat down and wept,” Nehemiah wrote, and he immediately began to pray on behalf of the Jews in Jerusalem (Nehemiah 1:4). Nehemiah was not in Jerusalem himself, but he felt deeply for his sisters and brothers who were.
Jesus’ encouragement also starts with empathy. By stepping down from heaven and becoming a human, he put himself in our situation. He continues now through his Spirit to meet us where we are, and we can trust that he understands what we are going through.
As we look to encourage others, let’s start with putting ourselves in their shoes and feeling with them through our empathy.
Encouragement Points to God
Nehemiah also leaned on the strength of God in his encouragement rather than on human strength. Speaking of those who wanted to harm the Jews and derail the rebuilding of the wall, Nehemiah said, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the great and awe-inspiring Lord” (Nehemiah 4:14).
In the people’s discouragement, Nehemiah reminded them that their trust did not need to be in their own abilities but in the God of the universe who was by their side. This is a wonderful encouragement to our own hearts in the midst of challenges, and it also reminds us to point others to trust not in their own impressiveness but in God’s.
Encouragement Takes Action
Lastly, Nehemiah demonstrated that the strongest encouragement is carried by action. Nehemiah came up with a plan to help protect those building the wall from attack (see Nehemiah 4:15–23). This reminds us that words of encouragement can only go so far. But when paired with encouraging action, they can lift someone’s spirit and help them make it through their discouraging situation.
During his earthly ministry, Jesus did not simply encourage those around him with words. He paired his words with action by walking with, healing, and ultimately dying for those he loved. May this be a reminder of the God who lives in us and encourages us daily, and also a reminder of the kind of encouragement he calls us to emulate.
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Wherever we may be feeling discouraged today, I pray we would turn to Jesus and allow his powerful encouragement to fill us and overflow to those around us.
To Consider:
1. When was a time that you felt especially encouraged by someone? What made their encouragement so impactful?
2. Where in your life do you need Jesus’ encouragement today? Say or write a short prayer asking him to encourage your heart.
3. Whom might God be calling you to encourage today? How can you plan to encourage them like Nehemiah (starting with empathy, pointing them to God, taking action)?
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