Shine Like Stars: Devotions From Time of GraceSample

Speech That Shines: God's stars encourage others

How I love kind words from other people! Kind words bandage up my wounds. They give me hope when my day has been bleak. They restore my self-confidence when I have been crushed. They make me feel as though I'm valuable when I have been feeling worthless.

You know, I don't need any personal training in how to lap up praise. Where I could use improvement is in building other people up. It is slowly dawning on me that one of the reasons for my earthly existence is to be an encourager. I need your praise and you need mine.

St. Paul, once a persecutor of Christians, by his later years had become a masterful recruiter and encourager of others. "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen" (Ephesians 4:29).

Ready? Let's practice: "Nice job!" "Love your hair." "Don't worry--get it next time." "Great outfit!" "Thank you for everything you do around here." All of a sudden you'll wonder why you have so many friends.