Selections from Acts 11
Those who had been scattered as a result of the persecution that started because of Stephen made their way as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the message to no one except Jews. But there were some of them, Cypriot and Cyrenian men, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Hellenists, proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus.... The report about them reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to travel as far as Antioch. When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he encouraged all of them to remain true to the Lord with a firm resolve of the heart - for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.
Barnabas is a smile and a pat on the back - a laugh that starts at his eyes and doesn't stop till the whole room is looking to see what's so funny. But he's the kind of friend who doesn't just tell you what you want to hear. You can tell that he really means it. That's Barnabas. Encouragement takes time because encouragement is more than words. It's a lifestyle. It's a deliberate, watchful way of giving people the value God says they deserve, then blessing them with the wealth of your thoughtfulness. It works at church, at the job site, at the health club, at Little League practice - and it works best at home, where your spouse and children can feast on your kindnesses and genuine compliments. Encouragement is a gift you can start sharing today. Surely you know someone who's starved for some.
Look at it this way ...
The church is growing, and the Word is spreading like a flame. It's too big for the leaders to handle. Assistance is needed: gifted assistance. What does Barnabas do? He searches for and finds Saul of Tarsus, who was an outcast because of his former life. Not afraid to stick his neck out for a new Christian who was suspect in the eyes of the public, Barnabas took him by the hand and brought him to Antioch. Before the entire assembly, the "Son of Encouragement" gave his new friend a push into a priority position - in fact, it was into the very place where Barnabas himself had been experiencing remarkable blessing as a church leader. Without a thought of jealousy, he later allowed Saul to take the leadership and set the pace for the first missionary journey. It is interesting to note that the names were soon switched from "Barnabas and Saul" to "Paul and Barnabas." It takes a great person to recognize that a man younger than he is has God-given abilities, and to encourage him to move ahead with full support. Oh, the need for this ministry! - Charles Swindoll
A final thought:
If you want to make sure your encouragement doesn't come off sounding phony, then just make sure it's not. Ask God to show you how to be truly glad for others' success.