A Better Encouragement by Lindsey Carlson

We like encouragement so why don't we encourage others more? Carlson saw there was a lack of encouraging one another among Christians so decided to explore Scripture on the topic and write this book. It provides a Scripture foundation for encouraging one another as well as observations about the current culture. Encouragement is a learned skill, she says. This book provides the training.

I like how Carlson reminds us biblical encouragement is better than anything the world has to offer. She shows how the current popularity of self-esteem has dulled our view of the essential nature of biblical encouragement. She explores why we get discouraged and how we need to build ourselves up first so we can offer encouragement to others. She also helps readers understand the different forms of encouragement, such as hope and comfort.

Carlson includes personal stories and examples from Scripture to illustrate the principles of her teaching. Some of the information I thought was irrelevant, such as the critique of books by Glennon Doyle. I've never heard of her and found that part of the book unhelpful.

Biblical encouragement is the only form of encouragement that is effective and truly lasts, Carlson argues. This book helps readers get to a place where they are strong in the Lord, are able to encourage others and have the desire and skills to do so. Christians need to encourage one another. We are commanded in Scripture to do so. This book will give you the knowledge and motivation to be a person skillfully and lovingly building up others.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Lindsey Carlson is a pastor’s wife, a mother of five, and a native Texan. She enjoys writing, speaking, teaching women the Bible, and making disciples that grow by God’s grace. She is the author of Growing in Godliness: A Teen Girl’s Guide to Maturing in Christ.

Crossway, 176 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)