How to encourage Each other in times of illness

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In times of illness, how can we remain united as a church, building each other up despite not being able to meet? Just because we can’t physically see each other under the same roof doesn’t mean we can’t be an encouragement to each other. No way! Thanks to advances in technology we can (and should) stay in touch, encouraging each other as we have done until now, just as the Word says.

Therefore, encourage each other and build each other up, just as you have been doing.
(1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Colossians 3:15-16 is a good passage to look for ideas on how we can be an encouragement and blessing to our fellow believers.

These are easy concepts to apply during these uncertain times we are experiencing.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you with all its richness: instruct and counsel one another with all wisdom; sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God, with heartfelt gratitude.
Colossians 3:15-16

It is important that we give priority to being filled with the peace of the Lord in the midst of any circumstance. It is in God that we can renew our minds and our hearts to be able to see this situation from another perspective. Now, how do we get it? How do we manage to “recharge our batteries” emotionally and spiritually so that we can be a blessing to others?

1. Through prayer and time with God. Take advantage of this season to spend more time in the presence of God praying, interceding for this world, and receiving everything he wants to give you. In the past few years, how many times have you rushed to work or taken the kids to school without taking time to talk to God? Propose in these weeks of social isolation to renew your relationship with the heavenly Father.

2. Immerse yourself in the study of the Word and seek God’s direction. Try to read the Bible every day and, if possible, do a thematic Bible study on trust in God, healing, the power of God, or any other topic you want. Renew your spirit by allowing God’s Holy Spirit to speak to you in a special way during this time of uncertainty. God is faithful and longs to speak with his children. Let your ear be very attentive to his voice!

As you strengthen your spirit, remember the people around you. Think of specific ways you can encourage others, starting with your family in Christ, but also looking for opportunities to bless all those around you. Here are some ideas.

Contents hide

1 cheering each other on

2 The work of the church must continue

3 4 verses on encouraging one another

cheering each other on

Let the word of Christ dwell in you with all its richness: instruct and counsel one another with all wisdom; sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God, with heartfelt gratitude.
(Colossians 3:16)

1. Make a phone call

Today almost everyone has a telephone, be it landline or cellular (mobile). This is one of the easiest ways to keep in touch with others and also a great tool we can use to offer words of encouragement, pray, and show our genuine care.

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Call your brothers, especially those who are alone, far from their relatives or very worried about the current situation. Show them that you care about them and encourage them. Take the opportunity to pray for them asking for God’s protection and health. Share with them how you feel that God helps you face the uncertainty we live in. Also, share what you learn about and with God during your devotional and Word study times.

2. Send messages of encouragement

With the same cell phone, you can send messages of encouragement to your family, friends, neighbors, and brothers in Christ. Stay in touch with them.

Ask them if they need anything and within the limitations we have, try to help them find the solution to their problems. Ask God for discernment and wisdom so that you can always offer (or write) the right word (Colossians 4:6).

When you read a phrase that helps you share it. It shows that you genuinely care about people and that you want to help them make this difficult time more bearable. Think especially of the elderly confined in residences or who live alone.

3. Share Psalms or Bible verses that have helped you

Instead of contributing to the atmosphere of fear that permeates everywhere, resolve to share God’s Word with others. Once again, use your phone or your computer (computer) and social networks to carry out your encouraging mission.

In the Bible, we find many Psalms and passages that encourage us and increase our trust in God. Get hold of them! Some of the ones you can share are the following:

psalm 23
psalm 27
psalm 46
Psalm 91
Psalm 56:3
Psalm 9:9-10
Jeremiah 17:7-8
Psalm 28:6-9
Isaiah 41:10
Psalm 94:17-19

4. Share songs or hymns of strength

As with Bible verses, another great idea is to share strength songs or hymns. If you see a video or hear a song that brings joy and nourishes your spirit, bringing you closer to God, share it with other people. Music calms and calms the spirit, much more music is based on the Word of the Lord.

5. Help organize the online church meeting

Several years ago there was a song that said “In struggles and trials the church keeps walking and only stops to preach. O glory! Hallelujah! The church keeps walking and only stops to preach.” What a great truth! Certainly, we are in a time of struggle and a time of trials. But we do know that the church must continue to meet and take the Gospel to all those around it.

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Let’s take advantage of technological advances and keep in touch between brothers. If you are one of those people who understand modern technology well, help your pastor and church leaders to organize the meetings. He explains to others how they can join the virtual meetings and encourages the brothers to be faithful in their participation.

The work of the church must continue

Shine your light before everyone, so that they can see your good deeds and praise the Father who is in heaven.
(Matthew 5:16)

We are the Church! As such, God has called us to many things, among which are the following:

1. Be light and salt of the earth

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt becomes insipid, how will it regain its flavor? It is no longer good for anything, but for people to throw away and trample on. You are the light of the world. A city on top of a hill cannot be hidden. Nor light a lamp to cover it with a drawer. On the contrary, it is put on the shelf so that it lights up everyone in the house. Shine your light before everyone, so that they can see your good deeds and praise the Father who is in heaven.
(Matthew 5:13-16)

2. Bless and care for the defenseless

Pure and blameless religion before God our Father is this: care for orphans and widows in their afflictions, and keep oneself clean from the corruption of the world.
(James 1:27)

Raise your voice, and do them justice! Defend the poor and needy!
(Proverbs 31:9)

3. Be an example of love

Dear brothers, let us love one another, because love comes from God, and everyone who loves has been born from him and knows him. He who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
(1 John 4:7-8)

No one has ever seen God, but if we love one another, God remains among us, and his love has been fully manifested among us.
(1 John 4:12)

Let’s fulfill our ministry! May God be glorified in the midst of all this situation! Let us ask for his direction and his anointing to know how we can continue to be the light and salt of the earth, taking his Word and his love to all those around us. Let’s not focus on ourselves, on our isolation, or on our needs. Let us seek to be one of those who focus on others, those who extend the hand of love and support to serve and help others.

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For example, if you know an elderly person who is alone and needs something to eat, the day you go to the supermarket you can call them on the phone and ask if they need anything.

Let’s be creative in these moments of uncertainty. We have to keep doing our job! May this time serve for God to extend his hand of love to many others through us, his Church.

4 verses on encouraging one another

1. Encourage us to draw closer to God and away from sin

Beware, brothers, that none of you have a sinful and unbelieving heart that causes you to turn away from the living God. Rather, while that “today” lasts, encourage one another each day, so that none of you are hardened by the deception of sin.
Hebrews 3:12-13

2. Encourage us in faith and strengthen us

I long to see you to impart some spiritual gift to you that will strengthen you; rather, so that we encourage each other with the faith we share.
(Romans 1:11-12)

3. Encourage us to love, good deeds and come together

Let us keep firm the hope that we profess, because faithful is the one who made the promise. Let us care for each other, in order to stimulate each other to love and good deeds. Let us not stop meeting together, as some are accustomed to do, but let us encourage one another, and all the more so now that we see that day drawing near.
(Hebrews 10:23-25)

4. Cheer up, because we will be with Jesus forever

The Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then those of us who are alive, those of us who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore, encourage one another with these words.
(1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)

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