Encouragement
The Gotman Institute researched conversations and found that, for every encouraging comment, there were six critical comments. That might be why many workplaces are negative and toxic. It might be why marriages and families struggle.
When we find ourselves faced with difficulties and we’re not getting encouragement from those around us, we might feel like Job of the Bible. Having suffered a tragedy, his “friends” weren’t helping; in fact, they were so negative that he called them “miserable comforters.”
You would probably agree that we all need encouragement; let’s move from seeing it as necessary to seeing it as URGENT. If we looked at the week just past, how would our positive to negative ratio look?
There are many scriptures that advise us to encourage others:
Acts 15:32 “Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers.” 1 Thess. 5:11, 14 “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” “And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” Heb. 3:13 “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”
What would happen if we chose to touch the “three circles of conversation” in our lives - - the inner (family, friends), the influential (co-workers, teammates, roommates) and the life (waiter, cashier, etc) - - with positive speech? Our interactions are opportunities God can use to bless someone. As you bless, you receive blessing. Proverbs 11:25 “A generous (giving) man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.”
Why do we wait for funerals to say good things about someone? Let’s do it while we have the time. We all need to be encouraged. (For examples of how to be an encourager.
