Let Your Words Encourage
“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
A survey asked mothers to keep track of how many times they made both negative and positive comments to their children. The surveyed mothers admitted that they criticized at least 10 times for every 1 time they said something favorable.
Wow, when I consider how many times I have said negative things to people, I realise I have some positive paying back to do!
Many times we justify our criticizing, hurtful words, and actions by thinking we are right in a matter. But, in fact, the only one who is ‘all right’ is the Lord! And He has called us to be the encouragers of the world! We have the gift of God residing within us, and we are ambassadors of the His love. We need to constantly remind ourselves to operate under that love in every circumstance – even the most difficult ones!
When we find ourselves getting ready to criticize, let’s strive to stop in our tracks and say something encouraging instead, and not only to the world around us but to ourselves also!