Compliments Change Lives

by Patricia Broyles

Sometimes we carefully choose our words so that we don't give too many compliments to someone. It can be in an ordinary situation or even a situation that had many ups and downs. In the back of our minds we think “they don't need compliments”, “they are fine”, “they already have enough attention” but what we don’t see is that even a kind word could mean the world to that person and even build up a discouraged spirit. We measure words of encouragement and compliments, but very often we let the unedifying words jump out of our mouths carelessly when we see something that we disagree with or someone that we think needs to hear the “truth”.  But what does the word of God say?

Proverbs 12:25 - Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: But a good word maketh it glad.

Proverbs 15:23 - A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: And a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

Proverbs 16:24 - Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Proverbs 25:11 - A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

Ephesians 4:29 - Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

There is still good in this evil world. Why? Because the Holy Spirit is in us. So let the Spirit of God reign. We should be looking for what is good around us and using our words to show gratitude and to speak encouragement, words that will build up others in their faith and character.

With the Lords’ help we first need to win back the strong holds that satan has in our minds, those that push us to first judge others’ actions and lives. We have this sinful nature that presses so strong in us that many times we let it dominate and then we act and speak upon it. Remember, the mouth speaks of that which the heart is full. Believers should replace this sinful way of jealousy, anger and quick judgment with the love of God, beauty, kindness and forgiveness so that our mouths will speak of these good things.

Be more vocal and speak up about the good you see. Find ways to compliment people around you and speak up your gratitude. Find the good and the beautiful in others and build up the body of Christ with uplifting compliments, and make this more frequent then the easy judgmental words.

The value of wise words is tremendous. I heard of someone that was about to take their life as she was going through deep discouragement but because of a genuine compliment the situation was turned around. We never know how situations will turn out, or what people are going through, but we can know for sure that kind words and encouragement will not hurt. We live in a day and age full of needy people, anxiety, stress and depression. Saved and unsaved. Maybe your kind words are all that someone is needing to walk out of their valley. The Lord wants to use our words as an instrument of life.

An encouraged christian is stronger. An encouraged soldier is attentive in the battle. An encouraged friend will point you to Christ in moments you loose focus. Today you can be an encouragement with your words to someone, but tomorrow you might be the one needing encouragement.

We can give more of kind and encouraging words in many situations. To a new mother, to a fellow worker, to a recent graduate, to a new driver, to a new citizen, to a friend that won a competition, or a mother that cooked a meal with kids all over the kitchen, to a book written, to a message preached, a hard working father, to a young family, or even just because in an ordinary situation. If you see a situation to encourage with your words, take that opportunity.

Discouragement often comes through words, and so does encouragement. We do not need to follow the practice of holding back uplifting words or compliments. Be different. Be genuine. Encouragement is essential to this journey of faith. May our words bring life to the lives of others.