It was the first day of family camp, and I was overwhelmed. Over a hundred and twenty people had gathered in the mountains of southern Poland to learn English – and the Gospel. I went to my room and sat down, feeling like a colossal failure. My phone dinged, signaling the arrival of a text message. A colleague from a different camp had written a few words of encouragement. They made all the difference.

I don’t need to tell you that serving on the field is tough. The reasons for discouragement are endless. But as in the example above, a few well-placed words can lift the gloom and give the strength to keep going. My coworker had no idea what I was going through when she texted me. She only followed the prompting of the Holy Spirit. On the surface, it was a tiny gesture, but in the spirit world, it had a major impact. 

The Apostle Paul himself needed encouragement. After fleeing for his life from Thessalonica and Berea and encountering mostly indifference to his message in Athens, he ended up in Corinth. Opposition was growing. Was Paul making plans for another escape? We don’t know, but his fear and despair were such that God found it necessary to address him directly. His message? “Don’t be afraid. Keep on speaking.”

Let’s imagine Paul was serving in our world today. Could it be that instead of giving him a vision, the Lord would have prompted someone to send him a text message? I’m not implying that God doesn’t use visions nowadays, only that modern technology gives Him more tools at His disposal. And He wants to work through us to communicate His message. 

As a result of God’s encouragement, Paul stayed in Corinth for another year and a half. The effect of my colleague’s text message was less dramatic, but it defeated the enemy’s attempt to make me ineffective. 

Let’s be on the lookout for ways to encourage others, from our coworkers to the cleaning lady in our apartment building. Everyone needs a boost, and God can use us to give it.