The Mind of an Encourager

You are what you think.

You are what you think.

We have all heard “laughter is the best medicine.” Being a happy person makes us a healthier person. Our thoughts can affect our health. Studies have found many health problems related to stress. Stress seems to worsen or increase the risk of conditions like obesity, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, depression, gastrointestinal problems, anxiety, headaches and asthma. Stress can make us age faster and die sooner according to the director of Stress Management program in California.

I struggle with stress, as I am sure that most if not all of us do. I began having anxiety attacks about 4 years ago. I have researched how to best handle this, from yoga, breathing, meditation. The most effective way I have found is breathing, prayer and study. There is an undeniable connection between a person’s mental and physical well-being.

Proverbs 17:22 ESV

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Our mental state shapes our character. In Jesus was giving us a great example. We look up to the beginning of chapter 7 and we get the context. Jesus was with the pharisees and scribes. We are probably all familiar with this passage, the pharisees are questioning why the disciples are not washing their hands. this was a tradition that the Jew’s had, Jesus rebukes them. We use verse 7 in our safety chain about not following the traditions of men.

Mark 7:1–23 ESV

Now when the Pharisees gathered to him, with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem, they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly, holding to the tradition of the elders, and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing of cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches.) And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “ ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition! For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, “Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban” ’ (that is, given to God)— then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do.” And he called the people to him again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand: There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.” And when he had entered the house and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable. And he said to them, “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

in verse 11-23 Jesus was upset that the people were only concerned with the unclean foods rather than focusing on their minds. Jesus has just scolded them for saying all they have is for God, when they die, as an excuse to not take care of their parents. their hearts were defiled, it wasn't the foods they consumed it was their minds.

Our book says that Philippians is Paul’s most joyous epistle. I am always amazing by the attitude of Paul. We are going to spend most of the rest of class looking at this great book.

Philippians 1:3–5 ESV

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.

Paul was in prison in Rome and his focus is thanksgiving. He had joy despite his circumstances. A few verses down…

Philippians 1:12–14 ESV

I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

We have all heard “look for the silver lining” Paul was great at that. He was in Prison, and prison in rome did not look like prison in the usa. He taught the guards, others grew louder because of Paul’s strength. I challenge you to go through the book of Philippians and mark all of the “joy, rejoice” words.

Let’s all turn over to chapter 2. We are going to dissect this passage.

Philippians 2:1–11 ESV

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

We all learned about cause and effect in school and if then statements. This is a prime example. Let’s look at verse 1. If there is any encouragement.... sympathy. there is our if statement. If we have encouragement in Christ then we will… read verse 2.

Paul doesn't only give us the if and then but also the how. verse 3-5. we must be humble and put others first. my translation says mind in verse 5. literally that means attitude. we must have this attitude.

So we have our if and then and how.... now Paul tells us why. 6-11. Jesus came, suffered and died for us.

Christian living is the product of right thinking. Being a christian isn’t something we can be on accident, it takes intention and can be hard. Paul could have let his circumstances dictate his attitude negatively. Paul was old, tired, beaten and yet had joy.

Our book gives the example of a garden, bad thoughts are like weeds. Weeds grow and choke out the good plants unless we remove them with intention. Flowers must be planted.

An encourager has the spiritual maturity to see circumstances as opportunities to learn and grow. He knows that his current state of affairs will shortly pass and give place to new opportunities.

Our circumstances show us who we are. How we react to situations in life shows the reflection of our heart. Briefly I want to turn over to James. my favorite book because it is full of practical reminders we need daily.

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James 1:1–8 ESV

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

we will meet trails, not if. we must ask God for help, and wisdom. we must ask in faith. often people want to change their circumstance but are unwilling to change themselves. we must be able to change. we have to stop complaining when times get tough, rather look for ways to grow. Back in we must do things without complaining. how often? all the time. we need to use Paul’s motto from

Philippians 4:4 ESV

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

to be successful we must be joyful people. Focus on the good. Let’s continue reading in chapter 4.

Philippians 4:6–7 ESV

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

these are commands. when we are anxious what should we do? pray and focus on the things we have to be thankful for.

Philippians 4:8–9 ESV

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Phil 4:8-

Paul even gives us a list. he ends it with the phrase. think on these things. in verse 8. continue on to verse 9 and he goes on to say practice these things and we will have peace.

Peace is really what everyone wants.

I said earlier we can’t be Christians on accident. we must plan, have goals, and a vision. we will mess up, get off track at times maybe. we will be persistent. Sunday Steven Patterson gave the example of Thomas Edison. he failed 79 times before he was successful. i am glad he didn’t give up. Encouragers see failure as a step forward on the path to attainment. every attempt builds strength of character, every effort results in a new starting point the next time.

we must change the way we think. progress cannot be made without a willingness to work. sacrifice little and one will accomplish little. sacrifice much and one will accomplish much. we must nurture good thoughts and snuff out the bad ones.

behind every meaningful accomplishment is a trail of blood, sweat, and tears known to only men and women of courage who have struggled and triumphed over discouraging, self-defeating thoughts.

encouragement is a frame of mind. we must learn to take control of our thoughts, plucking the weeds out of the garden and planting beautiful flowers.

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Philippians 4:11–13 ESV

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Paul chooses to end his letter to the church in Philippi with these words. we must look to this example. be content in our circumstances and be positive we can do anything because God is on our side.