Written by Brett Ballard

Read: 2 Corinthians 1:3-10; Romans 12:3-9

We were two hours into our last night of retreat in 2026. Our middle schoolers were worshiping their hearts out, and the Holy Spirit was ministering to students throughout the room. I got the cue from Pastor Josiah Keith and stepped onto the stage for the last time of the weekend. In my mind, I had thoughts about what I was going to share to close out this anointed time of worship, but I was instantly brought to tears as I looked out at some of our students. I looked one of my 8th graders right in the eyes and began speaking to his heart. It wasn’t out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but rather out of an abundance of love from the Holy Spirit, right to the heart of this student.

We get the gift of encouragement from the Greek word, “paraklesis,” meaning, “a calling to one’s side.” In our modern setting, that correlates to exhortation or comfort. Paul often “exhorts” during the beginning and end of his letters with phrases like, “Grace and peace to you all.” A marker of encouragement and greeting as family, it sets the tone for the letter that Paul is writing out of love for the group. In 2 Corinthians 1, Paul devotes an entire paragraph to the God of all comfort. He uses the same word, “paraklesis,” here that he uses in Romans to talk about the gift of encouragement. The Holy Spirit brings comfort that we might bring comfort to others. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” (2 Corinthians 2:3)

Encouragement is not a liberty to flatter others but rather an invitation to nourish a soul. The Holy Spirit nudges you to speak life to someone in need. You want to walk in the gift of exhortation? Start by inviting the Holy Spirit to speak through you for the good of someone else. It’s love exemplified! “Love must be sincere...Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourself. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.” (Romans 12:9,10,13)

People are desperate and longing for a word from God, and one of the ways that ministers right to people’s hearts is a word of encouragement. “Thank you for the effort you put forth in that meeting today.” “You struck me with your wisdom.” “Your fire in worship blew me away.” What a gift from God that we might be encouragers to the broken, comforters to the mourning, and hope to the lost.