Marriage Insight: NEEDED: An Army of Encouragers
We are making a call for an army of encouragers to rise up to help those who need it. Please consider being part of this outreach. It’s a great cause. Essentially, this “army” is made up of those who encourage and mentor others in their marriages. This is something we are asking of those who have healthy marriages. You may not have a “perfect” marriage (who does?). But if you have a good marriage –one that you keep growing, that’s mostly what it takes. Maybe you are a wife, or are a husband, or maybe you are a married couple that can answer this call.
What is a mentor? "A marriage mentor is a happy more experienced couple who empowers another married couple through sharing resources and relational experiences. It’s a broad definition because there is no one right way to mentor. Each mentoring relationship takes on its own style.” (Drs David & Jan Stoop) It can also be one spouse encouraging another.
We’re asking for people who will be “difference makers” in helping those who are married. There are so many people who are quick to advise those who are married to “move on” when there are problems. But we especially need encouragers, rather than discouragers. It’s important that we make this more of a marriage friendly world, in helping one another.
We are calling “those who have walked a broken road and survived, to share your story, wisdom, and failures… as God leads you. Offer hope to those who can’t see past today! God allows us to go through trials because He has a greater purpose than we can see. One of those purposes is to comfort those on a similar journey. You understand what they are dealing with… when no one else can. You know how to pray for them. It may be that you can help them avoid things that you didn’t avoid. Guide them through the deep waters so that one day they can guide someone else. Most importantly, point them to the ultimate Guide: Jesus Christ!” (Janet Thompson)
Keep in mind what Meg Wilson wrote: "God’s Word makes it clear that we’re not meant to be individual islands. He calls us to meet together, to encourage one another, and to confess to other believers our struggles. He designed us to be in community and understands the meaning of synergy, the benefit of combined effort."
So, that’s what we’re challenging you to do. Be an encourager. You don’t have to be a counselor, or have it all together. You just need to look to see where there is someone that could use some encouragement (perhaps, careful advice) and give it. We desperately need spouses who will come to our web site and pray for those who post on the Prayer Wall. We also need those who will go into the articles and reach out to those who need uplifting, cheering them on. (We have the “Latest Comments” posted on the side bar of the Home Page, if that helps.) Sometimes sharing an experience here and there, and/or passing on a scripture can be helpful. Pray about it.
You can ask your pastor if he knows of someone you can mentor for a period of time. Or you can ask if he knows of someone who can mentor you. We have articles, quotes, etc… posted on our web site atwww.marriagemissions.com that can show you how simple this can be. They’re posted in the “Marriage Counseling and Mentoring” topic for your convenience.
We hope you will answer this call… this calling. We need each other. Read Titus 2 for inspiration. Also, remember to “encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”(Hebrews 3:13) We're told in 1 Thessalonians 5:11, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up...” We hope and pray you will.
Cindy and Steve Wright
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