The power of encouragement

Man it sure is uplifting to have people encourage you. I have had several instances in the past few days where people have said a positive word to me about something they saw me doing well. I have had people come to me for prayer wanting to lift me up and my family. Something like that just makes my entire day. My worries leave me, blood pressure goes down, and my outlook on life improves all because of someone's kind words. What a difference it makes in our life.

It always amazes me how much we thirst for a positive word from someone. We are all desperate for someone to say something kind or to affirm us in what we are doing. Those things are so vital to who we are and our confidence in moving forward. The funny thing is realizing how much we appreciate it, we very seldom think of giving it. Think about it for a moment. If we long for these kinds of words so much, then wouldn't we be spending much of our day lifting people up with our positive words. It would seem that way but sadly we do not take many opportunities to do this. We all have good intentions but seldom do we make a habit of positive encouragement. What if everyone did? What would that do for a community or even a church? I am certain it would change lives.

I think in my own experience it is always easier to find something wrong with a situation or to be able to quickly point out another's faults. Those things seem to come naturally to us. We are able to easily nit pick and notice someone's flaws in an instance. But, when it comes to positive affirmation we have to work at it...and so often we just don't bother. How about you? When was the last time you just decided that you are going to spend an entire day finding something positive to say to everyone you encounter? I challenge you to do this.

Maybe the hardest thing to do is to find something positive to say to someone you struggle to get along with. What kind of impact do you think it would have if you chose to compliment an enemy or a person you do not get along with well? You might just blow there socks off! Let me encourage you to live with Ephesians 4:29. I will let you look that up. I believe in you. I know you can do it and I believe God wants to use you to change lives. Lets give people our positive words and affirmation and in the process change the world together. Blessings, Your Dreaming Pastor