When I keep encouragement in mind I'm reminded to reposition my thoughts and my words so that they can encourage another. We all need encouragement and some of us need it more than others, because we are wired to be encouraged and acknowledged.
The folks who are called needy probably never received the "ments" they needed - acknowledgement and encouragement.
You see when I was growing up I did not receive much verbal encouragement from my parents. A lot of time was spent on pointing out what wasn't done up to standard. While well-meaning, to a child all they may hear is discouragement - yet another ment. I thought I was impervious to the detrimental effects of not having received verbal encouragement at the frequency I would have liked until I had my children. At some point, I realized the damaging impact of not focusing on encouragement.
For example - one day I asked one of my children to dust while I was away. When I came home, she was quite happy that she did what I asked. But the first thing I did was point out the little spot she missed. Burst her bubble. Imagine this feeling compounded over a childhood; over a lifetime. I could have acknowledged that she did a good job, while also encouraging her and then pointed out the tiny flaw after, instead I did the opposite, and for a long time I focused on the tiny flaw. My children and I have a great relationship - if we didn't there's no way I would have known what I did then, and how it impacted her. Hearing their perspective is a constant reminder of why encouragement is so necessary.
You see when I was growing up I did not receive much verbal encouragement from my parents. A lot of time was spent on pointing out what wasn't done up to standard. While well-meaning, to a child all they may hear is discouragement - yet another ment. I thought I was impervious to the detrimental effects of not having received verbal encouragement at the frequency I would have liked until I had my children. At some point, I realized the damaging impact of not focusing on encouragement.
For example - one day I asked one of my children to dust while I was away. When I came home, she was quite happy that she did what I asked. But the first thing I did was point out the little spot she missed. Burst her bubble. Imagine this feeling compounded over a childhood; over a lifetime. I could have acknowledged that she did a good job, while also encouraging her and then pointed out the tiny flaw after, instead I did the opposite, and for a long time I focused on the tiny flaw. My children and I have a great relationship - if we didn't there's no way I would have known what I did then, and how it impacted her. Hearing their perspective is a constant reminder of why encouragement is so necessary.
Encouragement is like salve on a wound; it is soothing, provides healing, is comforting, and uplifting. Encouragement shows that someone believes in you; someone knows your worth. Someone sees in you what you cannot see.
I want to always write as an encourager. I want you to know that I believe in the best in you. I want you to receive the encouragement I give. I also write as a reminder to myself, to always try to reposition my thoughts so that I encourage.
That's why every post is write has the hashtag encouragement.
Are you an encourager? How do you encourage others?
I want to always write as an encourager. I want you to know that I believe in the best in you. I want you to receive the encouragement I give. I also write as a reminder to myself, to always try to reposition my thoughts so that I encourage.
That's why every post is write has the hashtag encouragement.
So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 [NLT]
Are you an encourager? How do you encourage others?
I love this post because i think it was similar in my household too. maybe that's why i encourage others all the time. i try and be cognizant of this with my son...giving him encouragement and praise but also balancing it out with pushing him to always do his best. i don't know if i have the right balance but hopefully knowing the difference makes a difference in his life.
ReplyDeleteI love this post because i think it was similar in my household too. maybe that's why i encourage others all the time. i try and be cognizant of this with my son...giving him encouragement and praise but also balancing it out with pushing him to always do his best. i don't know if i have the right balance but hopefully knowing the difference makes a difference in his life.
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