USE YOUR VOICE TO ENCOURAGE
GARBAGE TRUCKS
For the first nine years of my driving life, I drove nothing but junk.
When I got my license, my first ride was an eighteen-year-old pickup that looked like it had already survived two south-end of Columbus gang wars and a barn fire. A year later, I “upgraded” to a thirteen-year-old truck where the Baja tires were worth more than the actual truck.
That was the pattern—rusted heaps that matched my bank account: dirt poor. Four trucks. All junk.
So imagine the moment at twenty-four years old when the tide finally turned. Mari and I scraped together enough to buy a pickup that was only two years old. I couldn’t wait to show it off.
I’ll never forget pulling up to a friend’s house, hopping out, grinning like I’d just won the lottery.
“How sweet is my new truck?” I asked.
He circled it, gave it a look, and said, “Why did you get a stick shift? I would never have bought a stick shift.”
That was one of many times I've been reminded—people can be so dumb!
He had the perfect chance to celebrate my first truck that wasn’t garbage and say, “Man, I’m so happy for you. I love the color, and stick shifts are a blast to drive.” But nope. Instead, he turned my big moment into me second-guessing my transmission choice.
Why is it that when we show someone a new thing we’ve saved up for, or tell them about a new venture we’re starting, the very first words out of their mouth are negative or passively discouraging?
We’ve all been on the receiving end…
…and if we’re honest, we’ve probably done it too.
Let’s take a quick look at what I believe is the main reason people, including us, tend to discourage rather than encourage.
STATUS COMPARISON AND EGO PROTECTION
When someone shows off a new thing or talks about their latest venture, it almost automatically makes us compare. We size it up against what we would have chosen, what we could afford, or what matches our preferences. And right there, the skin of our ego gets pinched. “Would I have picked differently? Do I measure up?”
To ease that discomfort, out slips the jab.
“Why that color?”
“I’d never get a stick shift.”
It’s not really about your new truck at all—it’s about them protecting their ego and yanking the spotlight back their way.
Comparison and ego-protection run together. And it often leaks out in the following three ways.
Critique Disguised as Concern
One of the most common ways our ego discourages others is by disguising criticism as concern.
You tell your friend you’ve joined a gym, and their response is: “Isn’t that expensive?” or “You know, eighty percent of people who get a membership don’t even make it a year.”
It’s presented as helpful information, but it lands as a critique of your likelihood to follow through.
Minimizing Achievements
People’s egos often downplay milestones.
You celebrate your second anniversary, and instead of joy, the response is: “Oh, two years? That’s nothing—wait until you’ve been married twenty.”
What should feel special suddenly feels small.
Dismissive Negativity
People’s egos also discourage us by shutting things down before they start.
You share a new idea, and the response is: “That will never work,” or “Good luck with that.”
Hope drains out before you even get moving.
Comparison and ego protection are baked into our old, sinful nature. But when we come to Christ, God begins reshaping that reflex. Rooted in His love, our ego no longer needs defending. And now the focus shifts where it belongs—on building others up and reminding them who they are in Him.
So if you spotted yourself in any of that, it’s time to leave it behind. Let’s walk away from it today and lean in to what it really looks like to use our voice for biblical encouragement.
ENCOURAGEMENT BETWEEN BELIEVERS
Encouragement between believers is never just about making people feel good about their purchases or life decisions. In the New Testament, it carries the sense of coming alongside, standing shoulder to shoulder to strengthen, steady, and remind one another of what is true.
Paul told the Thessalonians, “Encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Encouragement is construction language. It’s about laying bricks with our words in other people’s lives to help make sure their spiritual house stands firm.
Protecting the ego is about keeping the focus on ourselves.
Making sure we still look good. Sound smart. Come out on top.
It’s rooted in insecurity—constantly measuring our worth against someone else’s.
But building others up?
That’s different.
It shifts the focus outward.
Instead of guarding our image, we invest our energy in strengthening someone else’s faith.
Protecting the ego feeds pride.
Building others up feeds community.
One walls us off in comparison.
The other links arms in grace.
When we choose to build others up, we stop needing to win
and start wanting others to stand firm in truth.
That’s the heart of biblical encouragement.
It trades self-preservation for spiritual construction.
This is why Hebrews emphasizes the importance of doing it daily. “Encourage one another daily… so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (Hebrews 3:13 NIV). Life has a way of wearing us down, pulling us off course, numbing us to the things of God. Daily encouragement isn’t optional. It’s the guardrail that keeps us from drifting. And notice, it’s mutual. It isn’t just leaders encouraging the church or parents encouraging kids. It’s one another. Everyone both gives and receives.
Encouragement is also anchored in hope. Paul tells believers facing loss, “Encourage one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:18), after reminding them that in Christ, death isn’t the end. Those are the words we hand each other when grief is heavy and the future feels foggy: reminders of resurrection, reunion, and a future that is secure in Christ. That’s the shape of biblical encouragement. It takes God’s promises and drops them right into the middle of fear, sorrow, or doubt. It’s not shallow positivity. It’s obtaining courage from being rooted in truth.
And maybe the most important thing: biblical encouragement is about pointing people back to Christ.
Our words don’t just say, “You’ve got this.”
They say, “God’s got you.”
They lift the eyes of a weary brother or sister
from their own weakness
back to the One who never fails.
When Christians encourage each other, it isn’t about inflating egos.
It’s about fueling faith.
ENCOURAGEMENT FROM CHRISTIAN TO NONBELIEVER
Biblically, encouragement toward a non-Christian isn’t about pretending they’re already walking in faith, but about speaking truth and life in ways that reflect Christ’s heart. A few key ways Scripture models this:
Affirming their worth as image-bearers of God, not in their purchases, diplomas, or trophies.
Reminding them that their lives have value and dignity because they are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27).
Pointing toward hope, not just positivity. We’re not doing common cheerleading; we’re gently pointing people to God’s real promises: rest for the worn out, peace for the anxious, and strength for the weak (Matthew 11:28–29).
Speaking with grace. Colossians 4:6 says, “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” With those who don’t yet believe, tone matters as much as content. We choose words that are kind, clear, and honest: grace first, truth right behind. Encouragement to a non-Christian sounds like respect, invites questions, and leaves the door open for God to work.
In short, biblical encouragement toward a non-Christian looks like planting seeds of hope, value, and truth—all while letting your presence and words reflect the kindness of Christ.
Of course, we cheer them on. We celebrate what they care about. We don’t let our ego get in the way. We say the kind thing about the new purchase, the promotion, the milestone. That’s good. That’s the relational starting point. But it can’t be the finish line. From there, we keep pointing them toward Christ. We celebrate and speak graciously. We show up, and then we extend an invitation. We honor the achievement, and then we hand them real hope—hope that leads to spiritual peace and eternal life in Jesus.
©2025 Greg McNichols, All rights reserved.
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