“Never give in… never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force… never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.”
~Winston Churchill

“I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead and some come from behind.
But I’ve bought a big bat. I’m all ready you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!”
~Dr. Seus.

Everyone need encouragement. The greatest encouragement comes from The Lord. Listen to what God says to us:

Isaiah 41:10 “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Zephaniah 3:17 “The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.”

Jesus commissioned his disciples ands said to them: “Lo, I be with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matt. 28:20). God is the greatest encourager, but he often works through his people (Phil. 2:13; Eph. 2:10). How then, with God’s help, can we become great encouragers?

BE PRESENT
When Job’s three friends heard of the tragedies which had fallen, they “came every one of them” (Job 2:11). In order to encourage one another and to provoke one another to love and good works, Christians are exhorted to “not forsake the assembly” (Heb. 10:25). If we would be encouragers, let us be present.

BE PEACEFUL
There are few things as discouraging as disputing. “Let us pray more and dispute less.” In order to be encouraging, we must be at peace with one another and at peace with God. Christians learn how to be at peace with both God and man by living out God’s plea for unity in Ephesians 4:1-7. The Holy Spirit of God there instructs Christians to be at peace by “giving diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3) by loving one another (Eph. 4:1-3), loving God’s doctrine (Eph. 4:4-6), and loving God’s work (Eph. 4:7-14).

BE POSITIVE
New Testament Christians are commanded to rejoice. Christians are not to be bitter, unhappy, and unbearable. Christians are commanded to rejoice in The Lord in every circumstance.

Joy is a necessary characteristic of a healthy Christian life. Joy is produced part of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22). But Christian joy is not self-centered. The believer rejoices in the good fortune of others (Rom 12:15) and when others demonstrate obedience in the Lord (Rom 16:19; 1 Cor 13:6; 2 Cor 7:9; 13:9; Phil 4:10). The presence of good Christian company is a source of joy (1 Cor 16:17; Phil 2:28), as is the believer’s future hope in the Lord (Rom 12:12). So even in the midst of personal tribulations Paul could find cause for joy (2 Cor 6:10; cf. 1:6). And Paul could rejoice in the spread of the gospel, even when it involved the personal pain of self-sacrifice (Phil 1:18; 2:17–18; cf. 2:19–20; 3:6) (NAC 1 Thess).

In order to be encouraging, we must rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep, and extend hope for all through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.