Living in the Garden of Grace: God’s Encouragers
Brighten someone's day
Reflections on David Kuykendall’s Devotional Series
“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.” (John 16:7, KJV)
The Holy Spirit as Our Encourager
Jesus, in His earthly ministry, prepared His disciples for a transformative shift. He assured them that the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, would not only sustain them but also empower them to be vessels of encouragement to others.
The word “Comforter” conveys rich meanings—helper, advocate, and encourager. When believers are filled with the Spirit, they experience a deep sense of purpose. They know they are useful in God’s plan because He guides them into lives characterized by good works (Ephesians 2:10).
But the Spirit doesn’t stop there. Beyond affirming our value to God, He also moves through us to affirm others. The Spirit-filled believer becomes an instrument of encouragement, speaking life and hope to those who need it most.
Encouraging Others in Practical Ways
Not every believer will be used by the Spirit to encourage everyone they encounter, but every believer is called to be an encourager to some. A Spirit-led life equips us to recognize those moments when our words or actions can lift someone’s spirit.
A smile or a greeting: These simple acts acknowledge someone’s presence, communicating that they matter.
A word of commendation: Complimenting someone’s effort or success can brighten their day and affirm their value.
A Spirit-directed word: Sometimes the Holy Spirit prompts us to speak directly into someone’s life, reminding them of God’s love and their worth in His eyes.
Walking in the Spirit means being attentive to His leading—not just in sharing the Gospel with the unsaved but also in building up fellow believers.
The Call to Lift Others Up
The Apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Thessalonians 5:11, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” Encouragement is a vital part of living the exchanged life. As we yield to Christ, He expresses His love and care for others through us.
Consider how the Spirit might use you today to be an encourager:
Is there someone in your life who needs to hear that they are loved by God?
Could a small act of kindness communicate their significance?
Might the Spirit be prompting you to share a word of affirmation or encouragement?
Let us live as God’s encouragers, lifting up others as He has lifted us.
A Prayer of Encouragement
Heavenly Father, thank You for the indwelling Spirit, the Comforter, who reminds us of our worth in Your sight. Thank You for the ways He leads us to be encouragers in the lives of others. Today, we yield to Your Spirit and ask You to guide us in uplifting those around us. Let our words and actions reflect Your love and bring encouragement to others, all for Your glory. Amen.
A Final Thought
Living as God’s encourager is part of the exchanged life. As we rest in Christ and allow His Spirit to work through us, we become vessels of hope and love. In a world often filled with discouragement, the Spirit uses us to communicate the unchanging truth: that every person is valued deeply by their Creator.