Keeping It Real
“Encourage Others and Change Their Worlds”
-John C. Maxwell-
Everyone needs encouragement. Regardless of age, social status, religion, or race – anyone who receives encouragement is changed by it. Mark Twain once said, “One compliment can keep me going for a whole month.”
The impact of an encouraging word can be profound. Just as critical words can tear someone down, encouraging words have the opposite positive effect. A word of encouragement from a teacher to a child can change his life. A word of encouragement from a spouse can save a marriage. A word of encouragement from a boss can inspire a person to reach their potential.
In the book Encouragement Changes Everything by John C Maxwell he writes, “To encourage people is to help them gain
courage they might not otherwise possess – courage to face the day, to do what’s right, to take risks, to make a difference.” Like oxygen for the soul, encouragement communicates value and makes life bearable.
Parents have a responsibility to encourage their children. Spouses are responsible for building one another up. Friends are privileged to share encouraging words that help someone persevere through rough times or strive for greatness. Proverbs 12:25 says, “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but an encouraging word makes it glad.”
According to Maxwell there are four kinds of people when it comes to relationships. Which one are you?
- An Adder – we enjoy them. “Many people in this world desire to help others. These people are adders. They make the lives of others more pleasant and enjoyable. People who add value to others almost always do so intentionally.” Adding value to others requires sacrifice which is not a natural inclination and rarely comes by accident. Make it your goal to be an adder.
- A Subtracter – we tolerate them. “Subtracter’s do not bear the burdens of others, they add to them, making them heavier than they already are. Sadly, subtacters are typically clueless to what they are doing and usually do it unintentionally.” Are you a subtracter? Not sure? “If you do not know how to add to others, then you probably subtract by default.”
- A Multiplier – we value them. “A Multiplier is the level after adding. To become a multiplier one must be intentional, strategic, and skilled. The greater the talent and resources a person possesses, the greater his potential to become a multiplier.”
I am fortunate; I have had quite a few multipliers in my life, especially over the past several years. These multipliers are highly gifted people who want to see me and Getting Real Ministries succeed. This ministry would not be where it is today if it were not for the multipliers who love me. You know who you are and I want you to know I am eternally grateful.
- A Divider – we avoid them. “Dividers are the people in life who have a knack for taking others down as low as they can, as often as they can. Dividers are the most destructive because unlike subtracters, their negative actions are usuallyintentional. They are hurtful people who lift themselves up by tearing others down.” If you struggle in relationships you may be a divider. Begin seeking God, He can change your heart.
Recently I spent the weekend with my cousin and her family. Jennifer is a multiplier. She is always looking for ways to help others. She is generous with her time and money. This is not a genetic trait; she is intentional. I envy her desire to help others because I long to be a multiplier. While visiting, I saw a written prayer that she had hanging from her desk where her computer rests. I think I discovered her secret; it is a “Prayer of St. Francis.”
- Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is discord, union;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
O’ Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Be encouraged and encourage others! Maxwell reminds us, “God’s love for us gives us the reason to encourage others. God’s love in us gives us the ability to encourage others. God’s love through us gives us the way to encourage others. Remember, encouragement changes everything!” Bless and be blessed!
