Be Encouraging with More Positivity

Do you know what word babies tend to learn before any other? The word no. By nine to eleven months old, babies learn or at least understand no means stop. Babies hear “no” several times a day. Some scientists believe it could be as much as 400 times a day. 

They also understand the need to stop by hearing the tone in peoples voices. Babies are sensitive to the rhythm, pitch and intonation of speech, which makes up a persons tone. Babies will often times respond to the tone of someone’s voice more so than the word that was used.

We learn negativity at a pretty young age and it continues to ring in our heads through adulthood. Research suggests that 75% of our daily thoughts are negative and 95% are repetitive. That means our brain tends to work against us.

We need to be more positive, especially with each other. We receive enough negativity in this world. We don’t need our fellow believers to add on to the negativity we are already receiving from the world or from our own brains. If anything, we need to be helping each other by giving more public praise.

I want you to read how Paul opens his letter to Philemon; 4 “I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, 6 and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. 7 For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.” – Philemon 1:4-7

Wow! Can you imagine being Philemon and getting this letter from Paul? What encouragement Philemon must have felt as he opened up the letter and mfound this at the beginning. Unfortunately, no one talks or writes like this anymore.

When we see our fellow brother or sister, our first words after hello aremkalmost always, “how are you?” Why not shake it up a bit? Let people know what they mean to you, your class, your church, your deacons, your whatever. Let us be more like Paul and lead with kind gestures. More positive, less negative.

See you Sunday!

Pastor Glen