Having trouble trying to find the words to encourage others? Use these 10 Bible verses about encouraging others to help you.
Everyone needs a little encouragement in their lives. To those going through difficult times (which, let’s be honest, is most of us right now), encouragement is a little thing that can go a long way.
In life, we often look for the “big things” that will fix our troubles in life, but in my experience, it is the little things that hold the utmost importance.
Encouragement is such a vital thing that we need in our life and a beautiful way to speak life into others. Even doing something as simple as telling a loved one “you are valued” can better their day in a way we might not understand.
In Scripture, encouraging others is a key theme that the Gospels portray. The point of coming together and helping each other get through life is so essential to being a follower of Christ. It is a wonderful way to remind others of their identity, their purpose, and to point them back to Jesus.
In Christ, individual struggles become so much more bearable when you have the body of believers helping you along the way and encouraging you through each step.
Scriptures On Encouraging Others
1. Romans 1:11-12
I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.
Romans 1:11-12
As we are given spiritual gifts, we can use those to encourage others.
Some people may have and know their spiritual gifts while others do not. Do not let that discourage you if you are unsure or have not received your spiritual gift! Instead, live out your faith, as that will also encourage others to live out their faith as well.
You can be confident in the fact that God created you to be an encourager with unique gifts that no one else can offer but you.
Start by thinking about ways you feel encouraged. Maybe you like a phone call from a friend, a coffee date, a long walk, a handwritten card, or some flowers. You can share Bible verses for encouraging others, too!
2. Romans 15:2
Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.
Romans 15:2
We should love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Let us always do good things for one another to encourage each other.
In verses 5-7, Paul says “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God” (Romans 15:5-7 NIV).
As God gives you encouragement, share that encouragement with others. Remind them that their strength comes from the Lord. Accept one another so that we may glorify the Lord.
3. 2 Corinthians 1:4-5
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 1:4-5
Are you seeing the theme here? God has provided us the perfect role model in Jesus to learn how to be an encourager – to be gentle, kind, comforting, compassionate.
Our God is the ultimate example of showing compassion and providing comfort. When we are going through times of trouble or doubt, He will be here to comfort us. With that comfort we receive from God, we can comfort others who are going through hard times.
Maybe that is through practical ways like bringing them dinner or inviting them over to spend time together. Perhaps it is you praying for them and reminding them that God is here with them even now in the tough times.
A woman in my church recently told me that my sister-in-law was such a source of comfort to her when their baby was born and they had to be in the NICU with her for weeks. When I brought it up to my sister-in-law, she was floored because she thought she’d done so little by “just” bringing her dinner and checking in on her during that time.
What may seem like a small way to offer comfort to you may be a lifeline to the person going through a tough time.
4. Galatians 6:2
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2
No one likes going through hard things, especially alone. Come alongside someone who is going through something rough and help them carry their burdens. Mourn with those who mourn. Send them a card. Check in on them. Pray for them.
When you’re going through a really tough time, it can be so hard to see the world moving on like nothing is happening. Be the person to see them in their suffering and take the time to stop and just be there with them.
Helping others to carry their burdens will encourage them that they can get through it and help them experience more joy along the way.
5. Ephesians 4:29
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Ephesians 4:29
Our words are powerful – they hold the power of life and death. I don’t know if you have ever heard the toothpaste bottle analogy (once the toothpaste is squeezed out of the bottle, it is really hard to put 100% of it all back in), but that’s just like how it goes when words come out of our mouths.
Once we say something, it is out there and we cannot take it back.
Words are memorable and powerful (especially to a words of affirmation person like myself!), so be intentional about using your words to speak life.
Use your words to encourage others and lift them up as a practical way to share God’s love. Tell people they matter. They are loved, just as they are. Whether you speak words directly to them, write them in a card, or type them out in a text or email, speak life to the people in your life.
6. Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Philippians 2:3-4
My best friend is a master of this skill of being genuinely interested in whatever topic is discussed, not because she cares about the topic but because she cares about the person speaking. Whether the person is talking about weight loss, roofing, or fashion, she is just as invested in the conversation.
Encourage others by looking at their interests. It is a really powerful way to show you genuinely value them.
Everybody needs a reminder of how valued they truly are.
7. 1 Thessalonians 4:18
Therefore encourage one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:18
Paul wrote this to remind people that the Lord’s return is encouraging.
In the verses preceding this, it reads, “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and 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” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 NIV).
Let’s encourage each other with this passage! The Lord will return to earth and we will go to heaven to be with Him forever.
This whole passage is so encouraging. If you want to, go back to 1 Thessalonians 4 and read verses 13-18.
Knowing that our life will not end on this earth, that we will be with God forever should be encouraging to all. We’re not there yet. We are not whole yet. There will be suffering, people will let us down, we will feel like giving up, and we won’t feel entirely content until we are with Jesus. That day may not be today, but we can always hold onto the hope that it is coming!
8. 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Paul is writing to the Thessalonians. In verses 9-11 he says “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
We are all one under Christ. Jesus died for every single one of us so we will not suffer. Let us encourage one another with those words – His grace is enough, His sacrifice for our sins is enough, He is enough for us.
9. Hebrews 10:24-25
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:24-25
I think this is such a crucial verse for the time we are living in right now.
What stuck out to me in this verse is “not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing.”
How many of you have gotten in the habit of not meeting up with people as often because of the pandemic? It was such an easy habit to slip into, but it doesn’t mean you can’t continue to encourage others!
As we navigate through these tough times, I encourage you to think if you aren’t meeting together how do you spur one another on towards love and good deeds? How can you show others encouragement?
There are so many things you can do. For example, sending a letter in the mail, dropping off goodies to others, phone calls, a simple text saying “I’m praying for you”, or “You are loved.”
But as the world hopefully opens up soon, do not let these good deeds completely replace meeting up with others. As God says, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20 NIV).
God loves fellowship. He wants us to meet together! He wants us to encourage one another as we are meeting together. Showing people the love of God through our own love and actions. “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:18 NIV). Showing love through our actions can be one of the strongest ways to encourage others, especially in times like these.
10. 1 Peter 4:8
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4:8
“Love each other deeply”. We can encourage one another by loving deeply.
Maybe loving someone deeply today means forgiving them for hurting your feelings. Perhaps it means asking them a few questions deeper than the typical small talk of, “How are you doing?” Maybe it means praying for them, showing up to their kid’s soccer game, or inviting them over for dinner.
How can you take your love for someone in your life one level deeper today?
