Encouragement

Earlier in the year, I was fortunate enough to go to London to support John Good as he ran his first marathon.  Mim, and the boys and my wife, Jenny, were all on the sidelines looking out for John so we could cheer him on as he ran by.  If you’ve never been, I can highly recommend it; it’s a great day out.  The atmosphere is charged with positivity as people cheer the runners on.  We began positioning ourselves on Tower Bridge.  We literally watched hundreds, if not thousands, of people, all different shapes, and sizes, run by before we saw the majestic figure of John as he came towards us with a great big smile on his face.  He just about had time to give Mim a hug as he stopped for a moment before he was on his way again and disappeared into the distance.  My brother, who has run several marathons, will tell you I can project my voice loudly, so I was just able to shout, “Come on, John, you can do it,” as he ran by.  During the race, we found several places to wait, watch John run towards us and cheer him on.  John finally finished his race.  Wow, what an achievement.  I wonder what his memories are of that day and the support he received, not just by us but by strangers all along the course shouting, “Come on, you can do it.” 

I mentioned my brother.  He is called Duncan.  He is two years younger than me and was born prematurely.  It meant he wasn’t as strong as his peers and was a slow developer.  I can’t tell you how proud I am of him, despite his struggles in his early years; he has worked hard to find his place in life and has developed into a strong runner.  Then, 5 years ago, out of the blue, he had a heart attack.  He was fit and healthy, so it was a shock at the time.  The worst part for him was that he couldn’t run anymore.  He really missed it, not just the exercise but the social interaction at Park Run.  The good news is that he was able to get back to running last year, and in a couple of weeks, he will be participating in his first half-marathon in Bournemouth.  I will be there on the sidelines, cheering him on and shouting, “Come on, Duncan, you can do it.”

So why all this talk about running and shouting?

There is something about the human condition that naturally makes us respond to encouragement and positive words.  In fact, one of the five love languages is speaking words of affirmation (If you’ve not read the book, it is well worth getting a copy).

Imagine John and my brother turning up to run, and there being no support on the side of the road.  They would be running in silence.  

Encouragement is like fuel for the soul.  It provides the necessary motivation to keep going, especially when facing difficulties or uncertainty.  A kind word or gesture can reignite someone’s self-esteem and self-confidence, reminding them of their worth and potential.

The benefits of encouragement extend far beyond boosting morale.  Individuals who receive regular encouragement experience improved mental well-being and increased resilience.  Encouragement fosters a sense of belonging and connection, reminding us that we’re not alone in our struggles.

In the book of Thessalonians, chapter 5, verse 11, it says, “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”  This passage highlights the significance of uplifting and encouraging others, emphasising the positive impact it can have on both individuals and communities.

In closing, I would like to suggest we make a conscious effort to be like those people on the side of the road at the marathon who shout, “Come on, you can do it.”  More specifically, why not think of someone you can support and encourage?  Send them a WhatsApp message, drop them an email, or maybe even pick up the phone to see how they are doing.  As a church, if we all encouraged just one person each, it would make a big difference.  “Come on you can do it.”