Encouraging Words, March 21
Daily Reflections from Inside the Cancer Journey
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Written by Dan Held
“Then Barnabas came to [Saul’s] help and took him to the apostles. He explained to them how Saul had seen the Lord on the road and that the Lord had spoken to him. He also told them how boldly Saul had preached in the name of Jesus in Damascus” (Acts 9:27 GNT).
Cancer treatment and recovery are unpredictable. Yesterday, I felt good enough to mow the lawn or do a few loads of laundry—but today, I am good for nothing but lying on the couch. Couch-days can lead to the often-difficult task of asking for help. Do these days leave you wishing there was something you could do to add value, to be helpful, to be a giver and not always a receiver? It’s easy to forget that sometimes the simplest things can give more than you could imagine.
The book of Acts tells of a Jew named Joseph who had the courage of an encourager. At the time of Acts chapter 4, he was living in Jerusalem as a member of the original church of Jesus Christ. The early apostles called him Barnabas, which means “Son of Encouragement.” (How would you like to be known as a Son or Daughter of Encouragement?) Yet, we don’t have a clue why this was until later on, in Acts chapter 9. Saul, a man who had been involved in the arrest and even the killing of Christians, tried to join the Church after his own “born again” conversion. In verse 26, we read that Saul went to Jerusalem and tried to join the disciples. However, they would not believe that he was a disciple, and they were all afraid of him.
Enter the encourager.
Verse 27, our verse for today, follows: “Then Barnabas came to his help….” By the time Barnabas was through encouraging the original disciples, they were willing to take a chance on this convert named Saul (later called Paul). And the rest, as they say, is history. God used Paul to bring the Gospel to the Gentile world, and to write a number of the letters found in the New Testament.
Encouragers change the course of history.
Later in the book of Acts we read again how Barnabas came to the help of a man named John Mark. This time, it was Paul (formerly Saul) who was afraid to trust this young fellow because of some shady aspects of his past. Barnabas again shows the courage of an encourager. He takes John Mark with him on their own missionary journey to bring Christ to the people of Cyprus, the largest and most populous island in the Mediterranean Sea.
Through Barnabas, we can see how God can work not just through the words of encouragement but in the life of the encourager. What about you? Has cancer taken from you the ability to give encouragement? To speak up for the misunderstood? To guide the misguided? Through God, encouragers can change a life—and as we’ve seen with Barnabas, they can change the world. Don’t let cancer rob you of being a giver of encouragement.
Pray: Merciful God, hold back the discouragement of cancer and send us, like Barnabas, to encourage others. Grant us the courage of an encourager! In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Your Turn: Hear the words of “Here’s My Heart” by Casting Crowns. Be encouraged by His truth and His love for you, then let Him speak through you to encourage someone else.
Dan Held, Cancer Caregiver
Dan is a cancer caregiver who lives with his wife (Sue) of 55 years in Dayton, Ohio, where Sue has been free from breast cancer and colon cancer for two years! Dan is an ordained pastor and a licensed therapist with a heart for families touched by cancer at any stage. He is dedicated to promoting the message of more love and less fear in all aspects of his ministry and life. Check out his blog at www.danielkheld.com.
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