"Never lose a chance of saying a kind word."
- William Makepeace Thackeray

It is so easy to point out the fault in a person or to criticize them but we find it difficult to say a word of encouragement or affirmation. It is as though the person is incapable of doing anything right. Yet we never stop for a moment to consider how our attacking words may have been hurting the person.

We all want to hear good things being said about us whether we deserve to hear it or not. Yet we hold back on the kind word and unsparingly throw words that discourage and deflate.

Let us not blame our parents or teachers or any person in authority for becoming negative in our response towards others. Yes they might have fed us with negative statements for years but we know how painful it was, hence the reason we should refuse to subject anyone to that inexcusable behaviour.

Somehow when we take the time to affirm someone we all feel rewarded. A dull and disappointing day could suddenly be turned around because of a simply kind word we said. When we smile with someone we cannot imagine the impact it can have on him or her. When we compliment someone on something they did or even how they look can transform that moment for that person.

We need to be more sensitive and less selfish towards each other. Sometimes thinking about the other person’s feelings should be priority and not so much what is happening with us at that time.

Though we may be hurting is no reason for us to hurt someone else.

Wives when last have you told your husband how much you appreciate him? Husbands have you affirmed your wife lately? Parents are you declaring positive or negative words on your children’s lives? Friend have you reminded your friend the value and worth they bring to the friendship? Employers/supervisors/leaders, how often do you encourage those who work with you?

We don’t need a reason to say kind and encouraging words to each other. It is the greatest demonstration of love being shown to others and God expects us to love irrespective of.

Application

- Are you are faultfinder? Are you a criticizer? Are you complainer? Are you a drainer?

- Are you an encourager? Are you one who compliments? Are you sensitive to the feelings of others?

Let Us Pray

Abba, forgive me for putting people down and failing over and over to say kind words.

Today’s Verse
1 John 3:18 (NIV)

18Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth