I started my first draft of this post on March 1st, but things just didn't seem to be connecting the way I wanted them to. After church this morning. it was clear that I knew what direction God was leading me in to finish this post.
We've all heard the saying, "If you can't say anything nice, then don't say anything at all", and it's GREAT advice. We don't like it when others say hurtful things to us, so we should try and not say hurtful things to others. The other side of this saying is often overlooked though. If we do have something nice to say, we should, in fact, say it! Everyone loves a compliment. If you're anything like me, responding to compliments is actually kind of hard. When people are genuinely appreciative and let you know, that's just an awesome feeling. (And ... it's even in the Bible!)
Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)
The Bible digs deeper into the Power of Words.
Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak. (2 Corinthians 4:13)
If we are walking with God and are able to truly hear Him speak, then His words become our words. How many times has God placed it on my heart to go up to a stranger and tell them how beautiful they looked or to tell someone who encouraged me "thank you". It would be so humbling of myself to just act upon that and build someone up through God's love, but more often than not, I am caught quieting that voice and just doing things my way. I've been encouraged by others coming up to me, strangers and friends alike, who tell me that my hair looks good that day (probably on a day I was so frustrated with humidity and curls and just whipped it into a braid), or how they love my writing (when I was just thinking "Does anyone even read this?"), or even when someone says "I believe in you" (especially on the days I question everything I'm working towards). What if the day my unruly hair had me so frustrated and the person God put in my path to encourage me said no? I would have gone the whole day frustrated and with low self-esteem. How many times do I have the opportunity to tell someone their skirt is beautiful? How many times do I have the opportunity to tell someone their laugh is adorable? How many times do I have the opportunity to love on someone through a genuine compliment, but don't obey? Too many times is the answer.
If we have the power through God to speak things into existence, why don't we? I know when someone pays me a compliment, I try to embrace the beauty they see and it becomes a part of who I am. When someone tells me they love my braid, I promise you I'm rocking that braid for the next two weeks. When someone tells me they see my talent in and passion for something, I promise you I'm going at it enthusiastically. When someone confirms something I've been on the fence about, I take it and run! I need to be more obedient and build others up, even if it seems minute to me! In all reality, it's not actually what I say that's important, it's what God wants them to hear. I'm not the captain, I'm a vessel. I'm a stubborn vessel most of the time, but nonetheless, God doesn't give up on me, and for that I am grateful.
So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11
In order for me to love others through God's eyes, I must remember to SPEAK!
S-say it! Just say it! Don't ask why, don't second guess yourself. If it builds someone up, SAY IT!
P-pray! Pray that God will let them hear what He wants them to hear, no matter how bad you stutter through the smallest compliment.
E-eye contact. I am the WORST at making eye contact, especially when I'm in uncomfortable situations. I feel so vulnerable, but I do have to admit, when someone makes eye contact with me, it makes whatever they are saying seem genuine.
A-authentic. Giving true and authentic compliments on something you notice means so much to someone else. It could just be the little boost they needed before giving up!
K- Kindness goes a long way. If you're thinking about criticizing someone's every move, that's not at all what I was aiming for. If a kind thought is placed on your heart, that's where the money is. Kill 'em with kindness? Sure. But we should lift 'em up with kindness too!!
Just think ... God took the power of words from Zechariah because he didn't use them for good! And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time. (Luke 1:20) AND Ezekiel 3:26 says I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth so that you will be silent and unable to rebuke them, for they are a rebellious people. If we have the opportunity to use our words for good but don't use them at all, that's just as bad as using them for evil. (same concept as "lying" includes omitting pieces of the truth) Even if your "words" are written with ink on a paper, if you're encouraging, God's happy. It's not our job to criticize others, it's our job to love them. Whether they are five years old and the most defiant one in your classroom, or they are an adult and someone whose company you cherish, find something they do well and tell them. God doesn't want able people, He will make the willing more than capable.
I challenge you to give a compliment this week. Humble yourself and obey God and SPEAK.
Continue Reading...
We've all heard the saying, "If you can't say anything nice, then don't say anything at all", and it's GREAT advice. We don't like it when others say hurtful things to us, so we should try and not say hurtful things to others. The other side of this saying is often overlooked though. If we do have something nice to say, we should, in fact, say it! Everyone loves a compliment. If you're anything like me, responding to compliments is actually kind of hard. When people are genuinely appreciative and let you know, that's just an awesome feeling. (And ... it's even in the Bible!)
Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)
The Bible digs deeper into the Power of Words.
Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak. (2 Corinthians 4:13)
If we are walking with God and are able to truly hear Him speak, then His words become our words. How many times has God placed it on my heart to go up to a stranger and tell them how beautiful they looked or to tell someone who encouraged me "thank you". It would be so humbling of myself to just act upon that and build someone up through God's love, but more often than not, I am caught quieting that voice and just doing things my way. I've been encouraged by others coming up to me, strangers and friends alike, who tell me that my hair looks good that day (probably on a day I was so frustrated with humidity and curls and just whipped it into a braid), or how they love my writing (when I was just thinking "Does anyone even read this?"), or even when someone says "I believe in you" (especially on the days I question everything I'm working towards). What if the day my unruly hair had me so frustrated and the person God put in my path to encourage me said no? I would have gone the whole day frustrated and with low self-esteem. How many times do I have the opportunity to tell someone their skirt is beautiful? How many times do I have the opportunity to tell someone their laugh is adorable? How many times do I have the opportunity to love on someone through a genuine compliment, but don't obey? Too many times is the answer.
If we have the power through God to speak things into existence, why don't we? I know when someone pays me a compliment, I try to embrace the beauty they see and it becomes a part of who I am. When someone tells me they love my braid, I promise you I'm rocking that braid for the next two weeks. When someone tells me they see my talent in and passion for something, I promise you I'm going at it enthusiastically. When someone confirms something I've been on the fence about, I take it and run! I need to be more obedient and build others up, even if it seems minute to me! In all reality, it's not actually what I say that's important, it's what God wants them to hear. I'm not the captain, I'm a vessel. I'm a stubborn vessel most of the time, but nonetheless, God doesn't give up on me, and for that I am grateful.
So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11
In order for me to love others through God's eyes, I must remember to SPEAK!
S-say it! Just say it! Don't ask why, don't second guess yourself. If it builds someone up, SAY IT!
P-pray! Pray that God will let them hear what He wants them to hear, no matter how bad you stutter through the smallest compliment.
E-eye contact. I am the WORST at making eye contact, especially when I'm in uncomfortable situations. I feel so vulnerable, but I do have to admit, when someone makes eye contact with me, it makes whatever they are saying seem genuine.
A-authentic. Giving true and authentic compliments on something you notice means so much to someone else. It could just be the little boost they needed before giving up!
K- Kindness goes a long way. If you're thinking about criticizing someone's every move, that's not at all what I was aiming for. If a kind thought is placed on your heart, that's where the money is. Kill 'em with kindness? Sure. But we should lift 'em up with kindness too!!
Just think ... God took the power of words from Zechariah because he didn't use them for good! And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time. (Luke 1:20) AND Ezekiel 3:26 says I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth so that you will be silent and unable to rebuke them, for they are a rebellious people. If we have the opportunity to use our words for good but don't use them at all, that's just as bad as using them for evil. (same concept as "lying" includes omitting pieces of the truth) Even if your "words" are written with ink on a paper, if you're encouraging, God's happy. It's not our job to criticize others, it's our job to love them. Whether they are five years old and the most defiant one in your classroom, or they are an adult and someone whose company you cherish, find something they do well and tell them. God doesn't want able people, He will make the willing more than capable.
I challenge you to give a compliment this week. Humble yourself and obey God and SPEAK.
