Biblical Encouragement
Scripture is full of encouraging words with passages addressing every aspect of daily life. Throughout both Old and New Testaments God's hand is outstretched to those in need of hope and healing. Christ, in this as in so many ways is the pinnacle gift of God to mankind. His very name meaning salvation or rescue, Jesus stands in Heaven as our high priest who the Bible assures is moved by that which touches us deeply.
A Short List of Scriptures
The following few scriptures are offered as examples of Biblical Encouragement for families. We hope you'll take the time to consider the wisdom and help they offer:
Christians are called to support each other
"Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2
There are many ways we can help each other. Dedication to praying for one another's families is a good start. Such times should include godly counsel and encouragement.
Having become human Christ feels our pain
"So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most." Hebrews 4:14-16
God has demonstrated in many ways His concern over human suffering. Christ's presence in heaven is meant to assure us our prayers, particularly those on behalf of our families, have access to the very throne of God.
God's comfort is abundant
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." 1 Corinthians 2:3-4
That's a lot of comforting. Thankfully the word comfort implies more than just consolation and empathy. Biblically, the word denotes the kind of strengthening and resolve that turns victims into victors!
God's blessings are available for those who need them most
"God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God. God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs." Matthew 5:1-10
Biblical promises are often directed to those in need. Certainly our families, bombarded daily with temptation, fit into that category. Christ's Sermon on the Mount offers both hope and guidance to parents on how to model Christianity to their children throughout there lives as kids and adults.
Jesus to turn mourning into joy
"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory." Isaiah 61:1-3
Jesus' first recorded sermon was the fulfillment of this passage! He promises help for the poor, freedom for captives and joy for those in His kingdom who mourn. Clearly this is good news for troubled families.
Christ offers rest for the weary
"Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light." Matthew 11:28-30
The weary and heavy laden have a special invitation from Jesus to come to Him for rest. Learn about and serving God is an easy and light burden when compared with that of slavery to sin and death in this life and eternity.
God promises to be with His people
"Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?" Romans 8:34
Regardless of the kind of trouble our families experience God promises His saving grace to His people.
Crying to God is a sign of adoption
"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, 'Abba, Father.' For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children." Romans 8:14-16
Rather than giving into fearful unbelief Christians should practice crying out and when necessary pleading with our God as our "Daddy" a title denoting a relationship of affection and intimacy.
If God is for us who can be against us?
"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies." Romans 8:31-33
It should be encouraging to know God is for us to the point of delivering Christ to the cross that we might be justified and blameless before Him. Parents can lean on God's example of love for His wayward children as well as hope the Lord will be moved with pity as we cry out for the salvation and deliverance of our loved ones.
God's timing is not our own
"But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:8-10
Let us take heart that God's patience is not a sign of unconcern but rather ultimate care. We should pray that His will that everyone be saved be worked out quickly in the lives of those we care deeply for.
Father from whom all the families in heaven and earth are named
"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:14-23
We have a treasure trove of encouragement in what is perhaps the most beautiful and powerful passages in scripture! Let us persevere in prayer until all our families experience all the divine power, provision and protection these verses have to offer.
God remembers your efforts
"For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do. Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true." Hebrews 6:10-11
Even when others seem to forget God's promise is to remember our love, service and prayers for others. Identifying completely with humanity in general and the needy in particular, God feels what we do for others personally. As Jesus promises elsewhere, "If we endure until the end" we have reason to hope that we and our loved ones shall be saved.
God blesses prayer meeting!
"While they were praying, the place where they were meeting trembled and shook. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak God's Word with fearless confidence. The whole congregation of believers was united as one—one heart, one mind! They didn't even claim ownership of their own possessions. No one said, 'That's mine; you can't have it.' They shared everything. The apostles gave powerful witness to the resurrection of the Master Jesus, and grace was on all of them." Acts 4:31-33
Might God, who is no respector of persons, again pour out His spirit as in the Book of Acts if our prayers were as diligent and desperate as theirs?
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