Friday 22 February 2013

Words matter:Encourage Today


Words


Words matter.. 
They are containers of power, 
Kegs waiting to explode
with delight
or dread.
We can build up
or destroy
Speak life
or death,
Bring joy
or pain
Hope 
or hell.
Reputation made
or destroyed
at a stroke,
careless slip
of pen
or twixt
tongue
and lip,
Pause
and send
Ruin
or mend..
Words matter.
©JoyLenton2013

Negative language breeds negative thinking, insecurity and low self-esteem.

Many of us will grow up believing that there is a marker, a measure of sorts that is considered right or normal and we fall short of it. Those standards could be specific to our family, community or universally applicable. 
"Nobody realises that some people expend tremendous energy trying to be normal" ~ Albert Camus
No matter how we acquire these standards, they can lead to judgemental attitudes (toward others as well as ourselves) and a desire to achieve no less than the perceived idea of Acceptable or Normal at least. 

There is such pressure to fit in and be like other people. How can we help one another to become all we can be?

In seeking to promote healthy self-esteem in ourselves and in others, one of the best ways is to speak positive, encouraging, life-affirming words instead of the negative.

Words have tremendous power to lift, heal, restore and refresh a life.
"Gracious speech is like clover honey - good taste to the soul, quick energy to the body" ~ Proverbs 16:24 
To encourage others literally means to pour courage in, inspire with spirit and hope, build up, spur on, promote, cherish and sustain them by words and deeds.


There is a reciprocal trust involved in encouragement

We have to trust that we have the individual's best interests at heart and the wisdom to say or do the appropriate thing. Their part is to trust us to be genuine and respectful of where they are at emotionally, relationally and spiritually.

Our hearts need to be wise, tender and gentle.

Sensitivity is required to know what to say and when to say it. Encouragement doesn't mean falseness or flattery. It can include constructive criticism if it enables and equips rather than tearing down or destroying.
"Rash language cuts and maims, but there is healing in the words of the wise" ~ Proverbs 12:18 
I have benefited hugely from the positive reinforcement of encouragement from others when a word in due season meant the difference between giving up or pressing on - particularly with any new enterprise, such as this blog was only a few months ago!

Sometimes we are good at offering encouragement yet fail to receive it as we should. Our upbringing may have ill-prepared us to believe good things that are said about us. Mine certainly made the receiving of compliments hard to accept and faults and failings easy to believe. We may carry a burden of worry, anxiety, or low self-esteem that weighs our hearts down.


"Worry weighs us down, a cheerful word picks us up" ~ Proverbs 12:25

One man who is on a mission to spread the word about the power of positive reinforcement through encouraging words and deeds is James Prescott. For, as he says:


"Only when each of us take the risk of opening ourselves to encouragement, can we allow the power of encouragement to be accepted" ~ James Prescott in '5 Steps To Encouragement - A Manifesto for Changing the World'



Although we all have to recognise our limitations. Like many, I am unable to carry out much physical activity due to health problems, but I can always do this:
  • Send a message - tweet, Facebook post, text
  • Write an e-mail, card, letter, note
  • Speak a loving and encouraging word
  • Pray for others as needs arise
  • Hold them and their situations before God in my heart
Whatever is in our power to do to bless and feed another's soul, that we can do.
"Your encouragement becomes grace that is strengthening, enabling and empowering for others. This is the ministry God will call you to today" ~ Joni Eareckson Tada 'Daily Devotionals'
Let's not delay. No time like the present.

As James says:

"Keep looking for opportunities. Keep stepping out and encouraging people. Make encouragement a habit...We must have our eyes open to the needs of those around us"

We can start by reading this excellent Free resource he has written. 

You can get your copy of the '5 Steps to Encouragement' Manifesto and extra free gifts by clicking here 


Then we can try putting the suggestions into practice


We can start right where we are.


Won't you join us?

I'd love to hear how you are implementing encouragement in your own life and how being on the receiving end of encouragement has blessed you

Do share your own thoughts and suggestions here.

In this post I am linking up with Missional Women Faith-filled Friday
 

You can also connect with me on Facebook or follow on Twitter

8 comments:

  1. Love this blog. Today I write a letter to a friend. She first sent me a helpfull mail and now it was my turn :-)

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    1. Good to see positive results of being encouraging. Keep on sharing the love, Jedidja! Bless you :)xx

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  2. Encouraging is dear to my heart - it's fulfilled as a combination of actions. But I think it's summed up as "a steady wish for the loved person’s ultimate good as far as it can be obtained.” (this is from a quote by CS Lewis)

    My husband is my greatest encourager - he uses his strengths to keep me moving forward. I try to do the same for him. I'm excited that your friend James has taken up the banner of Encouragement - It's so needed in this time and age of pessimism...

    And it's true - everyone can begin from exactly where they are!

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    1. Hi Lori, I am a great fan of C.S Lewis and this quote is beautiful. Having an encouraging husband is one of God's greatest gifts to me and I am delighted that you share that gift too. You are right that encouragement is so needful in our times. It never goes out of fashion or becomes ineffective if done with pure motives and sincerity of heart. Thank you for your insightful comments. Blessings :)xx

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  3. Wonderful post, Joy. Word do indeed matter.

    Blessings,
    Joan

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    Replies
    1. Your visit here and lovely comment have encouraged me greatly! Thanks very much, Joan. Blessings :)xx

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  4. it's so easy to forget that with God, the little is often the big. words seem like such little things to us. but they are so powerful.

    i love mother theresa's oft-quoted statement: "we can do no great things, only small things with great love." this guards my tongue and helps me pour in courage, just like you said. even if it seems like a little thing.

    great post and blessings to you, Joy! :)

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    Replies
    1. Hi Kelli. How right you are to remind us of how differently God sees things. Mother Teresa's quote is really beautiful and inspiring! I really appreciate your lovely comment. Thank you :) xx

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