When was the last time you were properly bricking it? Leaving home? When you found out a family member was ill? When your boyfriend/girlfriend broke up with you? Think about that time and how you felt in the moment.
I remember driving to university for the first time. As the car crested a hill the tall, grey frame of Towers' Hall of Residence loomed in the distance and I felt an unfamiliar churn of the stomach. I was excited and nervous at the same time. Everything was unknown and I felt all at sea with nausea to match. My Dad glanced at me and, seeing my colour, said, "You are going to be fine here Luke. You are going to love it." Those two sentences were exactly what I needed to hear. We need encouragement from others and here is why.
As humans, we are often fearful. The bible says that perfect love gets rid of fear. Knowing we are loved and ultimately safe gives us courage - this is encouragement.
If you are feeling nervous, scared or unsure about university or life in general, it is encouraging to read what God says to his people in Isaiah, "Energise the limp hands, strengthen the rubbery knees. Tell fearful souls, "Courage! Take heart! God is here, right here, on his way to put things right and redress all wrongs. He's on his way! He'll save you!" Isaiah 35: 3-4 (The Message)
What's more, the bible tells us that encouragement is a spiritual gift. And spiritual gifts are for other people. They are usually used to bless those who don't yet know God. So who can you encourage today? Who can you give courage to by showing them you love them? That you believe in them because God believes in them?
It's very easy to do. How about sending a text to 5 of your mates. Tell them you are grateful for their friendship, remind them of a great memory, speak well of their character - or find your own way of encouraging them. And if you will do this regularly, prepare to witness a transformation in those around you.
Over this last year I have seen incredible changes among my friends. Whether it is my friend who was homeless and is now in a house, my friend that was an atheist and now lives for her creator, or my friend who arrived at uni as a timid fresher and is now a confident leader of students - all have changed radically through the encouragement of other people. I believe we are designed to draw strength from other people, and if we plug into God, we are rooted in the greatest and most reliable strength of all time. That is a strength that other people will want - so let's give it away freely!
