Go Beyond Neutralizing Fear

More than 350 times, the Bible confronts fear head-on, and God desires for you to throw your complete trust in His powerful hand and resources, not only to neutralize fear but overcome it. 2 Timothy 1:7 declares, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” This reminds us that fear is not from God—it’s a barrier to the power and love He instills within us. Furthermore, we are reminded that the Holy Spirit dwells (makes His home) within us (1 Corinthians 6:19). So give Him all the space He deserves to live in you and make you whole. As we recognize and accept this truth, fear has to run away because there is no more room for it to live. In other words, shut and lock that door!

Fear Conquerors

Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman faced unimaginable dangers as she led enslaved people to freedom through the Underground Railroad. Fear of capture and death was constant, but her faith sustained her. She once said, “I was free, and they should be free. If I could have convinced more slaves they were slaves, I could have freed thousands more.” Tubman’s unwavering trust in God and her sense of purpose helped her conquer mountains of fear and become a tower of courage.

Moses
Moses faced overwhelming fear when God called him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt from slavery and confront Pharaoh, the most powerful ruler on earth. Despite his feelings of inadequacy and fear of public speaking, Moses trusted in God’s promise to be with him. In Exodus 4:12, God reassured him, saying, “Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” With God’s guidance and strength, Moses overcame his totally natural fears, confronted Pharaoh, and led his people to freedom, demonstrating how faith in God is always the right approach.

Practical Steps

1. Acknowledgement and Action
   Fear thrives in secrecy and darkness. When fear starts, recognize it and confront immediately. Speak your fears out of existence and pour your heart out to God. “When I am afraid, I [will fully & boldy] put my trust in You.” (Psalm 56:3). Proclaim He is your God and not fear.
2. Rely on What You Know
   God promises His presence and guidance. Fully accept it and leave the consequences up to Him. Isaiah 41:10 reassures us: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
3. Remember Your Victories
   Write down how you gained confidence and saw victories in your life. This will create a momentum of reassurance that fear is not worth throwing your life away to uncertainty. It is always your time to harness this negative power and time suck into being a positive force multiplier that strengthens your focus and resolve.

Fear is a Detour, The Final Destination is Victory

• Fear may be a part of your initial journey, but should not be perpetual and does not need to, even the second after unless you choose it to be.
• Today, trust in the One who created you to confidently reject fear and move forward with assurance just like many before you did. The results will be a multiplication of innovation and turning misery into victory.

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God’s Word summarizes the high’s and low’s of life in Ecclesiastes, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to destroy, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up…a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak…”

As we walk into a new career or a new surrounding, you have the unique opportunity to not only be refined by it, but also the ability to help shape it with the talents God planted in you. During this time, God has a good plan (while the devil does not). God desires not to harm you but to shape you into His image while you experience His power in this new season of life. He reminds us in Jeremiah 29, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”

Go ahead, embrace this new journey and discover who He really wants you to be as you seek him in this time of newness. Psalm 57:2 says, “I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.”

Special Thanks to Bible Gateway for their practical search engine.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2057%3A2&version=ESV

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+29%3A11-12&version=NIV

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When questioned about his lack of progress on the creation of a nickel-iron battery, Thomas Edison famously replied, “I have gotten a lot of results! I know several thousand things that won’t work.”¹ Edison viewed his repeated unsuccessful attempts at creating the battery as learning experiences rather than as permanent failures. He had a vision and was willing to view all parts of his work, even apparent failures as progress toward the fulfillment of that vision. He is not alone in the annals of history where great leaders faced repeated setbacks and were forced to adapt. Walt Disney faced numerous difficulties as he built his media empire, including “a bankruptcy” and “a mental breakdown”. Yet when speaking about the challenges he faced, Disney said, “You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.”²

The list goes on. Abraham Lincoln suffered numerous defeats as he slowly climbed the political ladder³, but he eventually became one of the greatest and most consequential U.S. presidents of all time. Software guru Bill Gates dropped out of Harvard and lost his first company, but the lessons he learned changed his life. Gates said, “once you embrace unpleasant news not as negative but as evidence of a need for change, you aren’t defeated by it. You’re learning from it.”⁴ Elon Musk was forced out of his CEO position at two companies within a span of five years, but he is now one of the richest people in the world⁵. The lesson to take from all of these examples is that no great leaders has ever emerged without adversity. Truly great leaders not only rise in spite of their failures, but use their failures as tools to learn, grow, and continue pushing forward.

Your failures are a part of the fabric that makes up your life, but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. A Japanese tradition called kintsugi illustrates the attitude we should have toward our failures. Kintsugi is the practice of repairing broken pottery using “lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum”⁶, which reveals and emphasizes the areas where the pottery was cracked. Rather than attempting to hide the existence of the cracks or pretend the pottery was never broken, kintsugi treats the pottery’s damage as an important part of its history and incorporates it into the aesthetics of the pottery. Therefore, the lessons learned from a broken process can become part of creating a masterpiece.

Maybe you have hit a brick wall in your career or intimate relationship. Follow these simple steps back to victory:

1. Be honest and see why and how you failed.
2. Summon your inner strength and make any necessary and permanent changes
3. Get back up and allow your creative mind to be reshaped by your Creator and ask Him to show the path unto your next successful achievement.

Remember, this, everything you need has already been planted inside of you – it was weaved into your soul and DNA (Psalm 139).   

Get more encouragement at: http://andyramirez.org/determined-rest/

References:

¹“I Have Gotten a Lot of Results! I Know Several Thousand Things That Won’t Work” (Quote Investigator, https://quoteinvestigator.com/2012/07/31/edison-lot-results/)

²”What Walt Disney knew about failure” by Analisa Flores (Modern Marketing Blog, https://blogs.oracle.com/marketingcloud/post/what-walt-disney-knew-about-failure)

³”Failure” (Richard Geib, https://www.rjgeib.com/thoughts/friend/lincoln-failures.html)

⁴”I Wanna Fail Like Bill Gates Did” by Patrick Oliver Jones (Medium, https://medium.com/winmipodcast/i-wanna-fail-like-bill-gates-did-cfc43f3bfa43)

⁵”The many failures of Elon Musk, captured in one giant infographic” by Sally French (MarketWatch, https://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-many-failures-of-elon-musk-captured-in-one-giant-infographic-2017-05-24)

⁶”Kintsugi – Art of Repair” (Traditional Kyoto, https://traditionalkyoto.com/culture/kintsugi/)

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For you high performing, data driven, results oriented professionals, the truth is, you can juggle more and run faster than most. You thrive on performance. Yet, your body is now shouting, it’s time to slow down, get refreshed, and recalibrate or else something will burn out.

According to Forbes, “the human body is built to thrive on a series of short sprints. This is why taking a break—even only for a few minutes—can offer you the refresh you need to persevere through your day.” In other words, determined breaks promote physical and mental power surges, creativity, and increased productivity. Other benefits include less stress build up, a reduction of mood swings, and healthier relationships.

Determined rest is not laziness. Rather, it is silent nourishment for the soul, body, and mind. Thousands of years ago, the Psalmist wrote, “my soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him”. Shutting down in quietness is a sacred time to refill the gas tank of your inner being as the Creator restores His masterpiece. The more we remember this universal law, the greater the output we will see at work and at home (remember, those at home need you most).

Finally, here are a few practical steps to pursue a determined rest:

1. Enjoy a true 15 minute break

Throw a cool towel over your eyes and think of one person or one thing you ought to be grateful for

2. Stretch & Exercise

This will focus the mind and regulate both neurotransmitters and other hormones.

3. Practice Sleep Hygiene

Follow a nightly routine and keep it consistent. Open the Psalms and Proverbs for wisdom and strength. People who lived long ago, documented truths that made them better leaders and better friends. Finally, unplug from electronics 30-60 minutes before bedtime, and dim your lights to allow your body’s natural melatonin production to collaborate with you. These steps along with a grateful heart will give you the power and endurance to win the race.

References:

Psalm 62:5  https://biblehub.com/psalms/62-5.htm https://www.forbes.com/sites/womensmedia/2021/01/15/the-benefits-of-resting-and-how-to-unplug-in-a-busy-world/?sh=2af9600e2133

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Our success is dependent on building micro victories made by small steps. According to Royale Scuderi, “the happiest and most successful people will tell you that they have achieved their level of life and work success by taking small steps, and making one positive choice after another”. For example, if you are set in living a more healthy lifestyle, exchanging one unhealthy snack for a piece of fruit, or one vegetarian meal a week, or replacing a Starbucks coffee with a glass of water creates the necessary building blocks to strengthen your internal will to do more.

Scuderi concludes that these bite-size goals will vary depending upon your specific intention, time frame, and motivation. The reason this strategy works is because we are able to see tangible progress, rather quickly. Thus, we feel a sense of accomplishment and are encouraged to move on to our next mini goal by using the small successes as stepping-stones to larger change.

Go ahead, make that step forward!

Endurance

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Today, some may be confronted by a tiny unknown lump on their body. What was just something uncomfortable, is now a full on intruder. Another will deal with an unexpected breakdown in a relationship, while others face an unjust coup within their inner circle. Such towering GIANTs appear to be insurmountable. But they are NOT!

One thing about your giant is that it throws its weight around and is very persistent to taunt you. It desires to instill fear and rob your confident identity. When a 9 foot 9 inches tall enemy came against Israel, Goliath the Philistine said, ‘This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other’” (1 Samuel 17:10 NIV). “For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand.” (1 Samuel 17:45 NIV). Giants not only taunt, but they also stand there to intimidate. Giants love to stand there in the corner and often in the center of your mind as you analyze their strategies. Every morning and every evening, stress and tiredness abound as you ponder your giant’s next move. So what shall you do?

1. Run NOT away from your giant. He will follow you. So face him!
2. Negotiate NOT with accepting your giant’s voice of defeatism. Remember you are not dead but alive.
3. Be serious with God. Truly keep asking Him and proclaiming His promises to return the control of your mind back to His protective peace. Since you can only have one thought at a time, surrender every second you are giving that giant back to the One who really cares for you.

According to Jentezen Fanklin, “giant killers see trials as training, not as trouble.” Our perspective has to change. David said, “God was with me when I fought the lion, God was with me when I fought the bear, He will rescue me from this [giant] Philistine!”. Have no reason to doubt that God will be with you again. Why would He leave you now?

Finally, David was determined. We learn that “he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag which he had; and his sling was in his hand as he drew near to the Philistine.” Why five stones? Because David was determined. It is likely David took five stones thinking, “I’m going and if I don’t get him with the first rock, and the second rock, and the third rock, then I’ll keep on. But I’m not going to quit until this giant falls.”

Friend, you must be more determined than your giant. You got to focus on the reward and believe God is going to bring you over that mountain peak. Decide right now that if it does not happen the way you expected the first time, you will pull out those back-up stones and fight until that giant falls down.

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Like never before, there is a generation of young people looking for someone to impart wisdom into their life. If we are honest, we too just needed a gentle hand of encouragement to navigate through work politics and self-insecurities. In a world where many staff members seem to have it all (eloquence, wit, and the appearance of  talent beyond their years), we must remember people need people. Just take a moment to remember all the people in your life who have their fingerprints on your success.

As I look back on my life, I remember the countless hours my dad invested in me. At the age of 17 years old, I was determined to learn Spanish but found it so difficult to gain fluency. Each time I tried, native speakers would make fun of me. Finally, after refusing to give into defeat, I asked my dad to take me serious and teach me the language. Though he would come home tired from work, he took time to have me repeat in both English and Spanish small sentences that one day turned into detailed conversations. I remember how my dad would ask me what I wanted to communicate and then emphasis the details and gestures of the language so I would not miss a minute detail. Because of my dad’s mentorship and a lot of self-determination, I was able to obtain solid jobs that required bilingual speaking skills. To this day, I thank my dad for investing in me.

Professionally, my career blossomed when a gentleman by the name of Mike Emberton took the time to open a door for a young persistent man desiring to succeed. He took the time to celebrate my go-getter spirit and inquisitive mind  and leveraged it to think more strategically. This formula proved to create long lasting solutions that have saved millions of dollars for past employers. As Mike was eyeing retirement, I learned that his legacy was to surpass his impact. He desired to allow others to blossom in their own talents. In deed leadership does not glory in its own greatness; it inspires the best in others.

According to Justin Rizzo, “by neglecting to train, serve, bless and build up others, what you have is going to have a tendency to become stagnant, dull and lifeless. We were meant to be channels for the Lord to flow through, not pools of standing water…Never stop replicating yourself and sowing into others. Seek to have your ceiling be the floor of those you’re leading and try your absolute best to make other people better than yourself.”

Special thanks to https://churchleaders.com/outreach-missions/outreach-missions-articles/347677-the-paradox-of-investing-in-others-how-passing-the-torch-makes-you-burn-more-brightly.html

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Whatever your talent is, remember it is meaningless if it is not exercised. Chris Fraley once said, “use your gift before it rots”.  Doing nothing can make any great gifting fade away. However, this does not have to be so. Right now (I mean right now), ask yourself,  “how can I use what I am good at to benefit others?”

Some of us may feel that a once vibrant talent vanished a long time ago. But did you know, the same energy used to believe in hopelessness, is the same energy that can be re-routed towards action? A great teacher once told his apprentice, “For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you” (2 Timothy 1:6).  Did you get that? Your gifting simply needs a simple breeze to blow away the dust and re-ignite that which God never intended to die. Bring the warmth of your calling back to the table of life.

Be encouraged! 

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Vision

It has been rightly said, “where there is no vision, the people perish” Proverbs 29:18. Conversely, when a good leader motivates his/her team to embrace and live out the company’s vision, every decision and movement made is contagiously intentional. This creates a machine of believers and the ultimate success of vision is when the product is accepted by consumers. Such is the case of companies like Nike. Consider their vision statement. “Bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete* in the world. (*If you have a body, you are an athlete.)”

Preparation

As a leader invests time and energy proclaiming a believable purpose and guiding his/her team, there is one component required for the journey, endurance. After all, what good is a great leader who is unable to be there for the long haul? Today, many CEOs, vice presidents, and managers invest in their own mental and physical health. They exercise, attend leadership conferences, and learn the art of self-motivation (just make sure your motivation relies on the stability and ability of God and not yourself). The fruit of such preparation will include a fine tuned posture, speech, active listening, creative ideas, and empathy towards others. As these characteristics are exampled, staff will respond in kind.

Action

Finally, after speaking forth vision and preparing the organization for success, remember there is no substitute for action. This means you must make decisions you are willing to follow despite innumerable voices of doubt that tend to arise. According to Simon Sinek, “Dream big. Start small. But most of all, start”. In other words, after you have done all you can to prepare, do it!

As you follow these three foundational concepts, you and your team will repel needless distractions and experience the joy of reaching your own victory line!

Biblical Power

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? [So] Run in such a way as to get the prize.  25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever…26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly… 1 Corinthians 9:24-26

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First, let us consider an ancient leadership lesson from a young shepherd named David. He is known throughout history for leading an entire nation in conquering an evil giant named Goliath. Towering over 9 feet tall, this super human instilled total fear into the most battle proven soldier. Sadly, helplessness immobilized the king and an entire people. To make matters worse, David’s own countrymen made fun of him because there was nothing grandeur about his muscles, height, or apparent intellect. After all, he was just a young shepherd who cared for sheep. However, what they did not know is that this young man previously defeated wild beasts with wit and supernatural power from above (God). His prior battles laid a rock solid foundation for his identity and the courage to face his Goliath.

Practically, consider the following plan when facing your next storm:

1. Accept that your storm is real and deserves your full attention. Why? Because there is no victory in hiding from reality.
2. Despite all founded and unfounded feelings, tell that storm you are not afraid to face it and mean it.
3. Remember and stand on your foundation. Write down and speak aloud what and who shaped your life to face prior storms.
4. Be ready to genuinely summon supernatural power from above, seek every resource around you, use common sense, and go into action.

Finally, like a lighthouse in the midst of a hurricane, do not be afraid to find refuge inside your safety tower as you plan your next steps. Remember, not to give up because you are built on a solid foundation.

For more information please visit:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+17&version=NIV

http://andyramirez.org/endurance/

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In the ancient book of Hebrews, endurance is a theme highlighted in men and women who remained faithful to their calling and ultimately achieved the unthinkable. From winning epic wars against more powerful armies to birthing a brand new nation. When people look at you or better yet, when you look at you, is endurance part of your life’s summary?

The Webster dictionary tells us that endurance is the ability to withstand hardship or adversity, especially the ability to sustain a prolonged stressful effort. It is also important to know what endurance is not. It is not the type of patience that sits down and accepts life passively, but rather uses patience as a tool to master the situation. Endurance is unhurried yet not delaying meaningful progress (William Barclay). Despite challenges you may face at the job or at home, I would like to offer you 6 keys I adapted from BizJournals.com. to help you succeed in personal endurance.

1. Encourage Yourself – Despite consistent rejection, roadblocks, or a bad boss, successful people keep the sweetness of the end prize at the forefront of their mind. It is so real, they can taste it. So don’t forfeit your joy for discouragement.
2. Pre-Determine Your Reactions – As you lean forward with a positive attitude, pre-determine that your feelings are not dependent on how others try to make you feel. Remember who you are and not necessarily what you do.
3. Eat Well – You can have all the best ideas in the world, but what use are they if you can not be alive to implement them? So eat healthy and go ahead, throw in an expensive ice cream once in a while.
4. Rest – Buy the best pillow in the store and turn off all electronics. As you rest, you will rejuvenate your body, brain, and soul. Not to mention prevent more wrinkles.
5. Build Your Talents – Ask for an opportunity to make a presentation, a staff report, or lead a project. This will exercise and grow the greatness already inside of you.
6. Get a Cheerleader – Surround yourself with people who desire to be your greatest cheerleaders. This might include good old mom. So let her do her thing and just accept it. Finally, it is without saying that perhaps the greatest encourager should be your spouse. That continuous word of affirmation and admiration will breathe life into pursuing your dreams.

Thanks for reading and be an encouragement to someone today!

Special gratitude goes to Bizjournal for their great insights. Please visit them at https://www.bizjournals.com/bizjournals/how-to/growth-strategies/2016/05/how-to-build-the-endurance-you-need-to-achieve.html

For more information on physical endurance please visit: https://www.runtastic.com/blog/en/tips-on-how-to-increase-running-stamina/

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The wisest man who ever lived etched these words, “Two are better off than one, because together they can work more effectively. If one of them falls down, the other can help him up.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. 

There are people in life you call friends while others become best friends. Yet, there are those who in a deeper sense are brothers. If you are “lucky”, your best friend may also be your blood brother. Growing up, my little brother was my partner in times of great adventure. From climbing on high our backyard apricot tree protecting our invisible fortress to playing summer baseball with neighborhood kids from morning to night. In the early 1980’s (I know that sounds historic), video games made it to the masses. We would spend even more time together playing Nintendo games like Super Contra. Although we would rotate positions, I was usually player 1 and Erik was player 2. For hours (maybe too many), our two man combat team kept playing and planning until we won the game. That sense of team determination could not stop us. No matter the adventure, there was one common theme in our friendship…we played together until we won together.

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At the end of the day, most professionals understand, they need to rest in order to give their best for tomorrow’s work day. Yet, when we get home, there is usually spouse and eager children who deserve the best of you. So how can we accomplish greatness at work and at home?

The Mayo Clinic has an excellent guide to help achievers, workaholics, and those simply seeking a more peaceful work-life experience. Below is an excellent summary from the Mayo Clinic and my added thoughts in italics to encourage your best work-life journey.

• Manage your time. Cut or delegate activities you don’t enjoy or can’t handle — or share your concerns and possible solutions with your employer or others. Organize household tasks efficiently, such as running errands in batches or doing a load of laundry every day; don’t save all the laundry for your day off. Do what needs to be done and let the rest go.
• Make a list. Put family events on a weekly calendar, and keep a daily to-do list at home and at work. Having a plan helps you maintain focus. When you don’t have a plan, it’s easy to be sucked into the plans and priorities of others.
• Learn to say no. Whether it’s a co-worker asking you to spearhead an extra project or a friend asking you to to organize a party. When you quit accepting tasks out of guilt or a false sense of obligation, you’ll have more time for activities that are [more] meaningful.
• Leave work at work. With the technology to connect to anyone at any time from virtually anywhere, there might be no boundary between work and home — unless you create it. Make a conscious decision to separate work time from personal time. And of course it does not hurt to check your phone once an hour or better yet delegate all calls, emails, and texts to a colleague. 
• Reduce email access. Check emails no more than three times a day — late morning, early afternoon and late in the day. If you access email first thing in the morning, you tend to focus on and respond to other people’s issues rather than being proactive about your own needs.
• Take advantage of your options. Ask your employer about flex hours, a compressed workweek, job sharing, telecommuting or other scheduling flexibility. The more control you have over your hours, the less stressed you’re likely to be.
• Try to shorten commitments and minimize interruptions. Most people can sustain a maximum level of concentration for no more than 90 minutes. After that, the ability to retain information decreases dramatically. When interrupted during a task, you need double or triple the time of the interruption to regain full concentration on your task.

Finally, Care for yourself! A healthy lifestyle is essential to coping with stress and achieving your best work-family balance. Try this:

• Eat a healthy diet. The Mediterranean diet — which emphasizes fresh fruits and vegetables and lean protein — enhances the ability to retain knowledge as well as stamina and well-being.
• Get enough sleep. Lack of sleep increases stress. It’s also important to avoid using personal electronic devices, such as tablets, just before bedtime. The blue light emitted by these devices decreases your level of melatonin, the hormone associated with sleep.
• Make time for fun and relaxation. Set aside time each day for an activity that you enjoy, such as reading and music. Better yet, discover activities you can do with your family or friends — such as hiking, dancing or taking dancing classes.
• Volunteer. Selective volunteering might lower your levels of burnout and stress and boost your emotional and social well-being.

Special thanks to the Mayo Clinic for their article located at https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/work-life-balance/art-20048134

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1. Insights I Didn’t Know. Mentors pass along information or perspectives which we need to hear. They come to us with wisdom which they have gathered over the years. When Evie and I lived in Minnesota a man who was one of our mentors was Dr. Herman Rohde. “When considering change or a new opportunity,” Dr. Rohde would say, “there is never harm in walking through a possible open door and looking around; it helps you pray more intelligently.”

Many thanks to Dr. Meyer and Huffpost.com for this powerful article. For more information please check out: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-power-of-a-mentor_b_2860647

Related articles:

It’s Time to be You

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Encouragement is a game changer in the midst of insurmountable odds. From the coach rallying his team to believe in who they really are, to the father inspiring his son’s strength by simply showing up to the game, encouraging words and actions can make all the difference in our lives and in the lives of those around us. We may often face dark discouraging mountains. However, even an ounce of encouragement can produce a limitless storage of courage.

Words carry great power. As Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”¹ Words can easily tear us down and hurt us. Even a snappy comment can put someone off and make their day worse. The opposite is also true, however. Any encouraging words- even just a quick remark or two- can help bolster a person’s mood and improve their day. Recall a time when someone encouraged you, even if only in a small way. Think about how it made you feel. What can you do today to inspire that positive feeling in someone else?

Here are a few suggestions:

1. Pay someone a sincere compliment.

Be mindful of setting, context, and appropriateness, but if you pay a sincere and thoughtful compliment to someone who will be receptive to it, you might just make their day.

      2. Give someone specific praise for something they did.

If you’re the boss at your workplace and one of your employees performs a task well, don’t miss the opportunity to tell them. Even complimenting a peer on a job well done can help boost their self-esteem and provide positive reinforcement.

     3. Be available.

Simply letting others know that you are there for them and willing to help them when needed can be greatly encouraging. Writing for The Life, Stacy Wiebe sums it up: “When you’re with others, you’re telling them that they’re important.”² Make sure your loved ones know that they are important to you and that you are willing to put time and effort into your relationships with them. None of us are meant to live life alone, and it can be quite encouraging to be aware that other people are around and willing to lend support.

You should seek encouragement for yourself as well. Surround yourself with people who will build you up and help you unlock your potential in life: people who are encouraging and not disparaging, who are honest but kind and constructive. If you can find people whom you can encourage and who will encourage you in return, you will create an ecosystem of encouragement that lifts up everyone within it. Don’t be afraid to seek out these kinds of people, and don’t be afraid to speak up and be a voice of encouragement within your current circles.

There are but two ingredients for encouragement to do its handiwork: a recipient willing to believe and a proclaimer willing to speak. Be that willing listener and that bold preacher today!

References:

¹Proverbs 18:21, ESV (Bible Gateway, https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+18&version=ESV)

²“19 Ways To Encourage Others” by Stacy Wiebe (The Life, https://thelife.com/19-ways-to-encourage-others)

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Giving to those in need comes in many different ways. Through my friends at Rotary, we had the blessing of providing dictionaries to Ms. Lacsamana’s third grade class at St. Hyacinth Academy. This effort came at a great time as the school was trying to figure how to fund their own supply of dictionaries. The excitement from Ms. Lacsamana and her students was unforgettable.

One child asked, how much they owed us for their new dictionaries. When we said it was free, the whole class roared in thankfulness. Then one student said, “this means I can finally do my homework”! Indeed it is greater to give than receive.

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