Being the Encouragement to Others - Ephesians 6:21-24

Have you ever been struggling with something, and God brought someone into your life that encourages you in the area of need, or someone reached out to you and said they are praying for you?

God is The Shepherd who takes care of His flock, each and every individual sheep. God has a plan and a will for our lives, but He doesn't abandon us in times of need or struggle. God is always present, we just need to open the eyes of our hearts. 

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Ephesians 6:21-24
²¹ So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. ²² I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.
²³ Peace be to the brothers,and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.
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Paul was under house arrest and sent letters to churches for encouragement, to enact change, and preach the truth. Many of the new Christians cared and prayed for him. Therefore, Paul closes his epistle to the Ephesians and tells them not to worry. He is sending a trustworthy brother and faithful minister of Christ to update them. Tychicus had the purpose of informing them of Paul's current situation and how he glorified the opportunity to be an ambassador of Christ. However, a large purpose of Tychicus' arrival was to encourage the hearts of those in Ephesus. 

How often are we in a place where God brings someone into our lives to provide encouragement to us? As Christians, we will have struggles and go through hard times. But God uses others around us and places them in our lives to encourage us as Paul prayed for the churches and the body of Christ; the same continues today when someone may be praying for you without you knowing. 

Additionally, God places us in other people's lives to encourage them and build them up in Christ. How often does God put someone in our hearts, and what do we do with that? Sometimes we are the Tychicus in other people's lives. God desires us to love one another and pray. We have the armor of God readily available, but maybe someone needs some help adjusting their equipment or shodding their feet with peace. We can be that person in someone's life, and we may not even know it. 

Therefore, I encourage all of us to humble ourselves and listen to the Holy Spirit and let Him guide our hearts and minds, praying at all times and in everything. Furthermore, we must set aside time to strengthen ourselves by reading and studying God's Word. This provides us with the tools needed to strengthen and encourage others when God places them in our hearts. 

Finally, love one another in faith and love our Lord Jesus Christ, who has perfect and incorruptible love. The Lord gives us grace, so we, too, must give grace to others in love.