Barnabas, often called the “Son of Encouragement,” is a powerful example of how words and actions can transform lives and shape the course of God’s kingdom. His story in the Bible is a testament to the profound impact of encouragement.
One of the clearest examples of this is his role in Saul’s life. Saul, who once fiercely persecuted Christians, experienced a miraculous transformation when he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus.
But even after Saul’s conversion, many believers hesitated to trust him. They could not forget who he used to be. His past made them wary, even though God had changed his heart.
This is where Barnabas comes in. When others doubted Saul’s intentions, Barnabas saw him through the eyes of God’s grace. He took Saul under his wing, introduced him to the apostles, and vouched for him. Barnabas believed in what God was doing in Saul’s life, even when it wasn’t easy or comfortable.
Through his unwavering trust in God’s power to transform, Barnabas played a pivotal role in helping Saul take his first steps into the ministry God had prepared for him. This trust is a source of reassurance and confidence for us all.
As we know, Saul, who later became the Apostle Paul, spread the Gospel across the known world and wrote much of the New Testament. Barnabas’s willingness to trust and encourage helped set everything in motion, showing us the potential for positive impact that encouragement holds.
God is still calling us to be “Barnabas” in the lives of others. Today’s world is filled with people who feel overlooked, judged, or written off because of past mistakes or struggles.
But what would it look like if we saw them as Barnabas saw Saul—through the lens of God’s grace and the potential for transformation? What if we believe that God can still do unimaginable work in their lives?
It’s not always easy to encourage someone, especially when battling doubts or skepticism. Maybe there’s a coworker who tests your patience, a family member who’s drifted away, or someone in your church community who seems hard to reach.
Encouragement takes courage and faith because it asks us to step out of what’s comfortable.
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up” – Galatians 6:9.
This verse demonstrates the importance of patience and persistence in encouraging others. Change and transformation often take time, and we may not see immediate results.
Barnabas didn’t wait until everything seemed clear and safe. He took a risk because he trusted God’s ability to change lives. And we’re called to do the same.
Our role isn’t to judge who deserves encouragement or has the potential to change. That judgment belongs to God alone. Our role is to be obedient, willing vessels through which God can speak life, hope, and love. Remembering that God is always with us, guiding and empowering us to encourage others is essential.
Sometimes, encouragement is as simple as listening with an open heart or offering kind words to someone who feels forgotten. Other times, it might mean walking alongside someone through their struggles, even when inconvenient.
Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works” – Hebrews 10:24.
That’s the beauty of encouragement—it calls people into who God created them to be, reminding them that they are loved and not alone.
It’s humbling to think about how God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary purposes. Barnabas wasn’t a perfect man. He didn’t have special powers or supernatural wisdom. He trusted the Lord and was willing to follow the Spirit’s leading. And because of his obedience, history was changed.
Imagine what God could do if we lived with that same posture of faith and encouragement.
I invite you to ask yourself, “Who might God be asking me to encourage?”
Maybe it’s someone in your workplace, your circle of friends, or someone you’ve noticed sitting alone at church. Perhaps it’s someone you’ve been hesitant to forgive or trust. Whoever it is, allow God to lead you. Don’t underestimate the impact your words and actions can have.
Encouragement is more than just a kind gesture. It reflects God’s love and grace. When we encourage someone, we say, “I see God in you. I see what you’re capable of through His strength.” And that can be enough to change a heart, rebuild a relationship, or set someone on a new path.
Barnabas reminds us that encouragement isn’t about drawing attention to ourselves or accomplishing something grand. It’s about pointing people back to God and trusting Him with the outcome. And when we live with that mindset, we create space for God to work in ways we never thought possible.
The world is desperate for hope today. You might be the person God wants to use to share that hope. Be bold. Be willing. Step out in faith and be a Barnabas to someone in need. Trust that God will do the rest.
Let everything you say be good and helpful so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them” – Ephesians 4:29.
May we all learn to step forward in faith, trusting God’s power to transform lives. As we encourage others, may we reflect Christ’s heart to a world longing to experience His love and grace.
The ripple effects of encouragement often extend beyond what we can see. Trust God to use your faithful encouragement to write stories of redemption, just like He did with Saul and Barnabas.