Real Encouragers Have Suffered

Sunday, October 11

1 Peter 5:7-10 (NIV)

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”

Devotion

If we have not endured suffering in Jesus and for Jesus, our ability to encourage and comfort others with the encouragement and comfort we have received from God is much smaller. Our testimony is much more powerful when we can say, “I’ve been where you are. I’ve hurt like you hurt. Here are the promises of Scripture that got me through. Here are the songs and prayers that got me through.”

Until we have truly learned to consistently cast all our anxiety on Jesus, those we attempt to comfort will sense the hypocrisy and spot the platitude when we attempt to comfort or encourage them with this verse. The words of Scripture we want to speak over others are much more powerful if we are living testimonies who have proven them through our own trials and sufferings first.

As we eagerly pray for the greater gifts, we ask for the gift of prophecy so that we may speak to people for their “strengthening, encouraging, and comfort” (1 Corinthians 14:3). But prophecy does not have its origin in the will of man; rather, we speak words from God as we are carried along by the Holy Spirit. We want to ask for and wait for the right Scripture at the right time, the right song at the right time, and the right prayer at the right time to accomplish the purposes for which it was sent in the heart of the hearer.

As we receive this gift of prophecy to strengthen, encourage, and comfort others, we use it in proportion to our faith (Romans 12:6). And our faith will always be greater after we have seen the Scripture, the song, or the prayer bear good fruit in our own lives. So, as Pastor Franklin said, let us rise up and become that army of encouragers. We will be much more skilled and fruitful in that army if today’s verses (1 Peter 5:7–10) are true for us first.

Today's Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for meeting me in my suffering and teaching me to trust You with my anxieties. Use what I have walked through to help me encourage and strengthen others. Give me wisdom to know the right Scripture, prayer, or word to share at the right time. Make me a faithful encourager who points others to Your grace, faithfulness, and hope. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Apply It Today

Think of one person who may be going through a struggle you have experienced. Reach out today with a Scripture, prayer, or word of encouragement that God has used to strengthen you.

Resources

• Someone may be praying for the encouragement God wants to bring through you. Watch “How God Wants to Use You” and be reminded that God can use your life to strengthen, comfort, and encourage others.
• It’s time to worship! Join us at 9 & 11 AM—wherever you are. In person at a nearby Free Chapel campus or online on the app, Facebook, YouTube, or live.freechapel.org. Let’s encounter God together!