Christian people are constantly encouraged to be encouragers. Whenever we find someone who is ‘going through rough times,’ we’re obliged to say: “God’s got this!” and “God won’t give you more than you can bear!” Whenever we find someone in despair, we think it’s our job to lift them up with a wave of enthusiastic positivity. But that’s wrong.
“John, you jerk!!! The Bible literally TELLS US to encourage one another!! STOP DISCOURAGING US FROM BEING ENCOURAGING, YOU JERK!!!!”
The Bible does say, “encourage one another.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11) The Bible also says, “encourage one another in evil plans.” (Psalm 64:5) And you might be shocked to know the Bible says, “shoot from ambush at the innocent.” (Psalm 64:4) The thing that all three of these scriptures have in common is they are yanked completely out of context.
Just before 1 Thessalonians tells us to encourage one another, it tells us the reason for doing so— Jesus died for us so that we may live together with him. At the risk of offending a bunch of ‘Ministers of Encouragement,’ that is quite different from mindlessly telling every person in the midst of a struggle, “Keep the faith! Everything will work out!”
First, you don’t know that everything will work out. You’re not God. It’s quite possible that my trial is going to increase. Speaking from personal experience, I don’t find it encouraging when someone who can’t see into the future tells me what the future holds. It kind of seems like you’re just babbling to make yourself feel better.
Second, I might be suffering because I’m doing something that I ought not do. Encouraging me to stay the course and trust the Lord is terrible advice when I’m actively sinning. Encouragement is the last thing I need when I’m thoroughly dedicated to my own selfish desires. With your encouragement, I am heading in the opposite direction of my only hope.
And lastly (but not leastly), suffering itself should be a source of encouragement. There are several places in the scripture where it is suggested that joyfulness is an appropriate response to hardship. Jesus said to rejoice when we’re persecuted because that kind of suffering brings great rewards (Matthew 5:11). That’s pretty encouraging, isn’t it?
(James 1:2) Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
2 Responses
I agree with Michael…dangit.
Trying to count it all joy. 😉
bree~
This is a concept so many fail to understand. I absolutely cannot stand that tripe about “God won’t give you more than you can handle.” What complete bunk! God frequently gives us more than we can handle to demonstrate to those of us who forget that we are reliant on Him all the time for everything (which sadly, includes me), that we’ve developed an inflated sense of self importance. I struggle with the handling trials with joy part, but eventually it becomes clear to my hard-headed self what God was doing, which leads to gratitude. Usually.