Encourage Their Heart!

August 20, 2026

Encourage Their Heart!

There is an epidemic of discouragement!

People are discouraged because they have experienced disappointment after disappointment after disappointment. They get tired of trying again, they get tired of being optimistic, and they get tired of being enthusiastic.

People are discouraged because they are constantly distracted. They struggle to stay focused on one thing, they struggle to discern what is most important, and they struggle to say “No” to some things/people so they can say “Yes” to some other things/people.

People are discouraged because they are desperate for some good news. They watch too much network news or engage too many social media posts that grinds away at the awful and the ugly. They watch their family and friends blow up relationships with one another. They watch their career or their children or their team-mates spiral down into a dark place.

People are discouraged and disappointed and distracted and desperate.

+They still remember when they were optimistic and positive and hopeful.

+They still remember when their faith in Jesus gave them a future with hope rather than a today of despair.

+They still remember when they prayed with confidence Jesus would hear their prayers, draw close to their heart, and make a difference in their life.

Discouragement is not a new thing. In the first century, some of the Christ-followers at the church in Colossae were discouraged. The Apostle Paul writes to the church and addresses his concern about their discouragement.    

In Colossians 2:2-3 Paul writes; “I want their hearts to be encouraged and united in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” 

Paul wants two things for the Christians in Colossae; 1) for their hearts to be encouraged and 2) for their hearts to be united in love. It is no accident that Paul ties encouragement and love for others together.

When I was overwhelmed with the tasks on my desk or mentally dull after hours of working on a project or a bit bored with too much time in front of a computer or discouraged by something that was not going the way I thought it should, I would get up from my desk and go visit people in a nursing home.

I found that the feelings of being overwhelmed or dull or bored or discouraged would go away when I expressed my love for other people in a practical way. Something happened when I shared my love with other people; my mind, my heart, and my soul were renewed…and rather quickly, too.

Paul says, “I want their hearts to be encouraged and united in love…” The next time you feel discouraged, take an opportunity to get up and get out and share your love with another person. Maybe it is someone at a nursing home, someone who is recovering at home, or someone who is alone. Maybe it is someone experiencing a relationship break-up, a lost job, or a very big decision. You might be surprised how the more you share your love, the less power discouragement has over you.

Paul tells us why it is important to be encouraged and to share our love. Paul says the Christ-followers in Colossae should do these two things “…so that they may have all the riches of…the knowledge of…Christ…” We are encouraged when we share love with other people because we gain a deeper knowledge of and understanding of Jesus.

Jesus came to give us hope. In Jeremiah 29:11 the Lord says He will “…give you a future with hope.” Later this morning can be filled with hope. This afternoon can be filled with hope. Tomorrow can be filled with hope. Next week can be filled with hope.

We have hope because we know Jesus. Jesus lived to show us how to live and love. Jesus died so our sins can be forgiven. Jesus was raised from the dead to give us power. Jesus knows us, Jesus saves us, and Jesus lives with us. There is nothing that can be so difficult that Jesus cannot win the victory over it.

Be encouraged through the hope you have through faith in Jesus. Share love with others to push away your discouragement. Know the abundant riches of knowing and loving and serving Jesus. When you do, your heart will overflow with delight in the Lord.  

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug