Remember the old song that praises the peace and beauty of the
wide-open spaces of the western U.S.? “Home, home on the range, where
the deer and the antelope play.” My favorite line is what comes next
…”Where seldom is heard a discouraging word.” What a great place the
‘range’ must be!
Unfortunately, this wonderful place where discouraging words are
seldom heard is increasingly difficult to find. Much more common are
places and situations where discouraging words are the norm. Perhaps
fueled by the increase in negative media stories, talk shows, instant
ability to post and access opinions, and polarizing politics, our quest
often seems to be to do our best to discourage others, especially those
in leadership positions.
The effect of the increasing presence of discouraging words on us
individually and collectively is cause for concern. Each of us knows
all too well how demoralizing and damaging it is to be on the receiving
end of discouraging words. And, as words of discouragement are so
present around us, how easy it becomes to jump on the discouragement
bandwagon by criticizing others!
While it is disappointing to observe and experience this atmosphere
of discouragement, we as a Christian community have a great opportunity
to create a counter-culture of encouragement! We can draw from the
example of Barnabus (son of encouragement), whose ministry specialty as
cited often in the New Testament was encouraging others. What if Holy Cross Lutheran Ministries
congregations, our church schools, the agencies of
the church became “discouragement free-zones,” known in our community
as a place where people are affirmed along their life and faith journey
and never discouraged by the sting of words, actions, and attitudes
meant to bring harm to body, mind, or spirit? Then we would truely be living loving and learning together.
I got the idea for this blog from Rich, Thanks!
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