In the first reflection of this series I spoke about people being prisoners of defeat. What they should be is prisoners of victory, prisoners of belief, prisoners of faith, prisoners of progress and growth, but the only way for them to be prisoners of these things is for those of us who are able, to be Agents of Comfort and Encouragement. Have you any idea how many people very rarely, if ever, have someone speak a word of comfort or encouragement in their lives? I've known men who were shocked that I would take time out to comfort them, men who were taken aback by an encouraging word and I was amazed at that until they would explain to me that no one had ever done this for them before. How amazing is it that this could be possible? Men, Christian men who'd been around other Christian men but had never been comforted or encouraged. Its no wonder they were prisoners of defeat. But no more, no longer shall we allow our brothers and sisters to be beaten down, oppressed, or imprisoned by words of defeat. From now on we, who are able, must pledge to be diligent with words of comfort and encouragement so that those who need it receive it. This is our responsibility as Christians.
THEREFORE COMFORT EACH OTHER AND EDIFY ONE ANOTHER, JUST AS YOU ARE ALSO DOING. (1Thess. 5:11)
NOW WE EXHORT YOU, BRETHREN, WARN THOSE WHO ARE UNRULY, COMFORT THE FAINTHEARTED, UPHOLD THE WEAK, BE PATIENT WITH ALL. (1Thess. 5:14)
We have a responsibility to speak words of comfort and encouragement constantly so that they drown out the words of defeat that daily, threaten to overtake and imprison our brothers and sisters. A timely word spoken out of sincerity can mean so much to a person, maybe more than we can ever know or understand unless you've been in that situation. Today we, us, agents of comfort and encouragement, brothers and sisters in Christ , today our goal is to speak life, love, growth, prosperity, comfort, and encouragement until those prisoners of defeat are freed. Praise God.
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