— Romans 14:19
One of the easiest ways to express love to others is to help them feel valuable. Mother Teresa of Calcutta ministered in the midst of appalling poverty, hunger, and disease, yet she said, "Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody...is a much greater hunger...than the person who has nothing to eat."
I've discovered that most people we meet do not have a sense of their infinite value as children of God. The thought that God loves them and sees them as precious has never entered their minds. I think the devil works very hard to make people feel devalued and worthless, but we can neutralize his lies by building people up and encouraging them. One way to do this is with a sincere compliment.
A compliment does not have to be something major. Little remarks such as, "That color really looks good on you"; "I like your hair that way"; or "I'm glad you are my friend" are very effective and meaningful.
Most people are quick to compare themselves with others, which means they often fail to see their own abilities and worth. Making another person feel valuable doesn't have to be time consuming. Let's train ourselves to be aggressive encouragers. Find some way to encourage every person you come in contact with throughout your day. Making people feel valuable won't cost any money, but it gives them something worth more than anything money can buy.
Prayer Starter: Father, open my eyes to the ways I can encourage those around me today. Help me to be sensitive to others even in the midst of my busy schedule. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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