Be a Encourager

Acts 4:36-37 ESV
“Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”

We all know how to be encouraging. Stop finding the things wrong and look for what went right. Always seeing the negative gives us a reputation of being a negative person.

I was on a construction crew for a few years and my sole mandate was to find what was wrong in a building under construction, not what was right.  In order to mark out for the framers, plumbers, and electricians what their problems were, my job was to mark the problem with florescent orange paint.

Can I tell you, negativity leaves a lasting effect on people. I did get to reinspect and tell the subcontractors the things they did right.

Try to find the positive, not the flaws. People are already downtrodden, they don’t need to see us as a “Negative Nancy.”

 Here are a few steps for being an encourager:

1. Applaud what others are doing right.

2. Look for ways to encourage a person.

3. Make positive comments or use positive constructive criticism.

4. Tell people positive things about themselves.

5. Notice when someone does something good, even if they typically do not. Praise them for their actions.

Prayer:
Lord, make us encouragers, help us to see the positive in people. In Your name we ask, Amen!