The Great Encourager

When we’re discouraged, disappointed, or frustrated, we need a great encourager. Someone like a the little girl I saw at a Cubs baseball game.

I was at the Cubs game with my two favorite men: my husband, John, and son, Nathaniel, when a girl sporting a pink knit cap called out, “Let’s go Cubbies!”  

The crowd responded, “Let’s go!”  

The little girl called out again, “Let’s go Cubbies!  

The crowd shouted back, “Let’s go!”  

The Cubbies were down 2-1 and definitely needed some encouragement. So this young girl in the stands took it upon herself to cheer them on. She chanted, “Let’s go Cubbies!” for three full innings!  

And you know what? The Cubbies won! They were down to their last out, last strike when the batter hit a double and the two men on base ran home. The field erupted in joy.

When I Need Someone to Cheer Me On  

Sometimes I feel like I’m down to my last out, my last strike. I want to give up. Things are looking hopeless.  

I could use someone to cheer me on.  

Then I remember that I do have someone–Someone to encourage me.  

Before Jesus left this earth, He promised to send an Encourager.  

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:16-17

The Greek word for Helper is parakletos. A parakletos is someone who stays by your side. Someone who comforts you. Someone who encourages you.  

Look at John 14:16 from the Amplified Version to get an even bigger picture of what the Holy Spirit is to us:  

And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever.

The Holy Spirit is Our Cheerleader (And More)

The Holy Spirit is our cheerleader who yells encouragement when we’re down 2-1 and in the last inning.

The Spirit is the One who stays by our sides when everything looks hopeless.

He’s the One who comforts us when we’re lonely, rejected, or in pain.

The Holy Spirit comforts our aching souls.

He counsels us, coaching us on the next play in our game of life.

The Spirit helps us hear God’s voice even when He seems far away.

He prays for us when we don’t know how to pray.

He is our Advocate before God, pleading for our cause.

He strengthens us when the stress and strain of life saps all our strength.

He is our Standby, the pinch hitter who takes over for us when we have nothing left to give.

The Holy Spirit strengthens and encourages through every inning of life and stands by us to the end  

The Holy Spirit is our cheerleader. He is the Great Encourager.

I can almost hear Him calling, “Let’s go, Sharla! Let’s go!”  

Can you hear Him call out your name?