By Grant Kaul, Senior Pastor
“For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.” 2 Timothy 1:5
Words of affirmation are like oxygenated blood to tired muscles. They bring strength when one is weary and serve as building blocks for greater maturity. Let me assure you, every person you have influence with is looking and longing for you to identify growth and godliness that is occurring in their life. The lack of affirmation is often the missing ingredient to a well-developed life.
Like yeast is to bread, so are your affirming words that encourage godly growth. If we are to become strong disciple makers, we must develop the art of specifically encouraging the faith of Christ’s followers. Broad generalities will not do; we must give them particular insight as to how we see them maturing in their faith. Look for windows of opportunity to pinpoint how you see Christ at work in them, and you will become like a mirror where they can see growth in godliness as well.
Never underestimate timely words of true affirmation. If we desire to present people complete in Christ, such words must not be absent in our relationships. In reality they are life-giving ingredients that inspire hope and growth in people’s lives. Everyone benefits when words of grace are communicated from the heart.
