4. Encouragement in Christ
CHAPTER FOUR
Encouragement in Christ
Christ often visited the home of two sisters, Mary and Martha, who both cared deeply for Jesus and His disciples. The way Martha expressed her love and concern was to cook a fine meal. But in the middle of these preparations, she came to Christ and said, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" (Luke 10:40).
In other words, she said, "Lord, this is not fair. Why do You allow Mary to sit here, so relaxed and happy, while I am killing myself back in this hot, stuffy kitchen? This just isn't right!"
Think about Martha's side of the story. Could it be that she felt discouraged because she was not appreciated? Sometimes, when I think about this story, I want to read next that Christ came to the kitchen door and said, "Martha, I know how hard you are working for us. Thank you so much!"
But I know this was not the way that Jesus thought. I don't think like He does, but perhaps my carnal nature reveals what Martha was thinking in this instance. We can begin to feel what she might have been feeling. We would have liked for Jesus to have encouraged her in her work.
But instead Jesus replied, "Martha, Martha . . . you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:41-42).
Having the Right Priority
Why couldn't Jesus encourage Martha in the work that she was doing? Maybe more hard work wasn't the priority He wanted her to have. We humans have a hang-up; we need to feel appreciated in what we do. But Jesus chose not to meet this need in Martha because it would have led her along a path away from intimacy with Him.
Blessed is the man or woman who encourages anyone to look to Christ alone. Saint John Chrysostom says,
Encourage one another to remain standing just as you have been standing. If anyone wavers from the ranks, take care to hold him back. In this way you will receive a double reward, for your own zeal and for the concern you show for your brothers.1
Encourage others to seek God. Do not encourage them to blindly continue down the same path; rather, encourage them to seek Christ and serve Him in joyful and restful obedience.
Sometimes no one will notice how faithfully we serve. You and I are human beings, and in this fragile life of ours, there are times when deep down we long for someone to know and appreciate what we do. We want someone to recognize us. Often we want this because we are consumed with ourselves.
It is precisely at these moments that we must be reminded to look to Christ. It is then that our brothers and sisters may be clear examples of Christ to us and guide us to Him. The following poem I wrote expresses this thought:
You Be My Jesus
The night is darker than the darkest night not a star in the sky.
Cruel storm howls in distance creating piercing silence.
Non-stop downpour.
It seems this night is forever.
My lamp is empty only left the smoking wick hurting my eyes forcing me to shut them in the dark.
Is there anyone who cares to understand to say a kind word to lend a helping hand?
Yes, I know Jesus cares Jesus understands.
But I don't see Him can't touch Him Where is He?
Till I find Him Please stay with me Please take my hand.
It is so dark.
YOU BE MY JESUS I am all alone.
Alone.2
It's not often that we express these feelings so plainly or that someone comes to us and tells us these things, but these words are true for all of us at one time or another. It is our responsibility to be Christ to others and encourage them to look to Him to sustain their life.
He Is Sufficient
So why didn't Jesus confirm Martha's work? As much as He may have wanted to, He couldn't, because He was using this disappointment to purify Martha from needs that were not heavenly.
Many times He deals similarly with us. Saint Augustine in his Confessions recalls the purpose of the hard times of his youth: to turn away from his immoral actions and follow Christ. He says to God, "You were ever present to me, . . . sprinkling very bitter disappointments over all my unlawful pleasures so that I might seek a pleasure free from all disappointment."3
The writings of Dr. E. Stanley Jones have had a huge impact on my life. He was a devout follower of Christ and one of the greatest missionary statesmen of the 20th century, impacting millions for Christ.
I have had the privilege of listening to some of his teachings on tape. Once I remember him talking about a discovery he had made, a secret that worked to free him from worry, care and discouragement.
Early in his work, he was carrying all the burdens himself, and as a result of that strain, he had two nervous breakdowns. In despair one night during his travels, he found himself at a church service in Lucknow, India.
While they were praying, the Lord spoke to him and said, "Look, Stanley, are you ready to turn your life over to Me, or do you want to hang on to it and ruin it? If you give it to Me,
I will take care of you and give you the energy and strength. You will not be destroyed by depression and discouragement."
At that very moment, Dr. Jones surrendered his life to the Lord and everything with it. He testifies that his life was changed forever.
We are raised with a philosophy of social conditioning that makes us believe turning our life over to an unseen Savior looks irrational and stupid. We are taught that only a simple, weak-willed person would consider that Christ might be the answer to all of our life's choices and the turmoil that we face.
The truth is this: The Lord Jesus Christ is the answer to all that we face in life, including disappointment and discouragement.
David dealt with his need for encouragement by going to God. When he faced the tremendous loneliness and sorrow of being abandoned by even his closest friends, the Scriptures tell us that "David encouraged himself in the Lord his God" (1 Samuel 30:6, kjv).
Paul also encouraged the Thessalonians to be encouraged in Christ. Second Thessalonians 2:16-17 says, "May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word."
So when you are faced with disappointments and when all around you seems hopeless, do not give up or try to solve the problem yourself. Satan tries to use these disappointments to discourage you and bring you down, but God can use them for a better purpose.
Go to Christ instead. He is able to lead you out of your discouragement. And if you focus on Him, He will use times of trials in your life to bring you closer to Him. You need only to look to Him. He is willing. Make your choice.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for Your promise that in times of trouble, You would meet every need. Some of us need encouragement. We want affirmation, but we don't have it. Lord, be our Encourager.
Throughout Scripture, Your people went through difficult times. You never left them, not in the deepest, darkest valleys. So this day, Lord, we tell You, we trust You. We will get through this. We will come to the other side. We will be established in You and will not be overtaken by our circumstances, for You reign in us. And You are able.
Thank You for the reminder that You never forsake us. Thank You for blessing us with brothers and sisters to walk alongside us in this journey. Thank You that we are Your sons and daughters. You are our joy, our peace and our strength.
Thank You for hope for today.
Give us the ability to be encouragers to others and to be a source of strength. Enable us to withstand discouragement and to choose the way of victory. Help us to stay close to You and remain strong in this battle. We trust You, and we thank You, Lord. In Jesus' name, Amen.
If this booklet has been a blessing to you, I would really like to hear from you. You may write to:
Gospel for Asia 1800 Golden Trail Court Carrollton, TX 75010 Or send an email to [email protected].