Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing

Encourage one another. Who encourages you? My husband does me. I have to say when I am upset he listens; when I need a clearer picture, he provides it. When I need someone to talk to, he is there. He will never replace me; he will always be there for me. What a friend I have in him! God knew what he was doing when he sent me to work in Sumter, SC. As wonderful as the relationship with my spouse is, God is there to a larger degree then my husband. God is the one who knows all my inner thoughts and still loves me. He loved me enough to know I needed someone in my life as I grew older.

Paul writes and tells us that we are supposed to be there for each other. He tells us when one member of the body hurts, all members hurt. When one needs assistance, there should be plenty. He speaks of praying for others always.

When you read his letter, you discover that groups of fallible humans have not changed much over the years. A group will still hurt its members, is not concerned with some of them, avoids getting to know some and will leave some completely out. Words are said without thinking, actions are taken without thinking, and feelings are hurt without caring. All these things are done because we do not heed the advice of God that Paul wrote for us.

Encourage one another; be there for each other giving of you.

I wonder if that is why he instructs so often to pray for someone else. I wonder if, when we spend the time to pray for each other and for those we do not know, God changes our thought process. Mine does change when I do this.

Who do you encourage? Who have you discouraged by not taking the time to see them for who they are? Have you pushed a brother or sister away? Who do you meet at the Throne of our Living God? Who do you lift up more: yourself or others?

We are to encourage one another. We are to build each other up. How do we do that? Can we do that if we do not put the other first?