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As Christians, we are called upon to “encourage one
another and build each other up.” (I Thessalonians 5:11). One of the
best ways to build up another person is to have faith in him or her even
when others do not.
A teacher had the custom of picking out one of the homeliest, most
backward girls of her class each year. Every day, the teacher would
tell the little girl something positive about her appearance or her
personality. Even when the little girl came in dirty or unkempt, the
teacher would think of something positive to say about her. Almost
without exception, a gradual change would come over the girl until at
the end of the school year she had blossomed into a radiant, beautiful,
confident person.
Jesus delighted in encouraging those that the establishment of his day
saw as outcasts. He called Zacchaeus the tax collector down from a tree
and transformed him from a stingy, despised man to a generous, likable
fellow. He spoke words of confidence to a band of fishermen, and they
were transformed into men who changed the world. He kindly forgave an
adulterous woman and told her to leave her destructive lifestyle.
Someone once said, “The happiest wife is not the one that marries the
best man, but the one that makes the best of the one she married.” How
we encourage and build up those around us effects not only their
happiness, but our own happiness as well.
Persons who constantly degrade others are usually unhappy with
themselves. By dwelling on the faults and imperfections of other
persons, they secretly can win any comparisons they make. But in the
process, they become unhappier with themselves as friends become more
distant and relationships begin to crumble.
The story goes that an old farmer was out hunting with his ancient bird
dog. Every so often, the half-crippled dog would run forward, bark
weakly, and point ahead. Even though no birds would rise, the farmer
would take his old shotgun and fire into the air. “Why do you shoot
when there are no birds?” the farmer’s companion wanted to know.
“Well,” said the farmer in his southern drawl. “I know there’s no birds
in that grass. But old Spot’s nose just ain’t what it used to be. He’s
been a mighty good friend and companion, and he’s doin’ the best he
can. It just wouldn’t be right of me to call him a liar at this stage
of his life.”
Each day, we should all ask ourselves, “Will those I see today feel
blessed or put down because I came in contact with them today?”
The Bible says that love “always protects, always trusts, always hopes,
always preserves.” (1st Corinthians 13:7). In other words, love always
looks for the best in other persons.
Jesus said that we are to extend such love even to those who give us a
rough time. “”Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless
those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Luke 6:27)
The reward of being positive to negative people is not that they will be
changed, although that may happen. The real reward, according to Jesus,
is that we will find peace as we become more like our heavenly Father.
Paul Jetter, Upper Valley Community Church |
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