The end of kindergarten is a big deal. To commemorate this day, my grandson’s wise teacher asked the students to say positive things about their classmates. Our favorite six-year-old heard things like: smart, kind, fast, super cool, always loving us, fast, awesome friend, nice, and super-fast. (Apparently, they are impressed with his speed.) He left school that day with positive words rotating within his heart.
These words will most likely come to visit him when he’s discouraged, but how will it influence him to have the knowledge that his friends think he is kind, or an awesome friend, or that he is known for always loving them? Will it make him kinder? A better friend? More loving? Faster?
What we say matters. Not just for the moment, but for years after they are spoken.
A few months after my first husband passed, I felt concern whether I was doing a good job with decisions, finances, and the kids. One day as I rushed through the house with a full laundry basket, a single sentence flashed through my mind which gave me confidence.
“You’re doing a good job, honey.”
Months after Keith went to be with the Lord, words he frequently voiced still encouraged me. While alive, he affirmed me. He believed in me. He spoke the words I needed to hear. The fruit of those words live on in my life. I no longer doubt whether I am doing a good job. I borrow from the confidence he had in me.
How about you? What words would your friends, or your spouse, or your kids hear after you are gone. Will they be words that build, or will they be words that tear down?
Who can you encourage today? Who can you build up?
Strengthening the disciples was one of the Apostle Paul’s purposes as he visited early churches. How do you think he did it? What impact do you suppose it made? What if you set about with the purpose of strengthening others? What impact would you make?
“After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.” (Acts 18:33).
Words are powerful! As Prov 18:21 says “Death and life are in the power of the tongue“ Growing up as a child there were many negative words spoken over me and each time I faced a challenging situation those words played like a broken record in my head over and over! It wasn’t until after I was saved years later and started reading my Bible that I was finally healed and set free from those words! Each time the record started to play, the Holy Spirit canceled those words with truth! Brought me to a fork in the road - was I going to believe the lie or the truth about who God says I am?! And ye shall kno…
We live in a world where positivity and hope are needed more than ever. Building one another up with encouraging words is a powerful thing.
The encouragement my sister gave me has carried me through in her absence. great post!
Just this week, I was looking back at a powerful word a church leader spoke to me a few years back on my birthday - a word which I've chosen to adopt as part of my identity! It's phenomenal how influential these things can be, and lately, when I know I'm about to enter a social situation (which isn't constant since I live alone), I've begun asking God if He has specific words of encouragement for the people I know I'm about to see. I pray I heed this advice and use those opportunities to make a long-term difference!
As an educator, this concept makes its way into many workshops - the negative and positive of our words. The reminder never gets old! Thanks for your encouraging words this week to me!