Sutterfield - The Power of an Encouraging Word: Planting the Seeds of Kindness to Reap a World in Bloom

The Power of an Encouraging Word

Planting the Seeds of Kindness to Reap a World in Bloom

Ken Sutterfield

First printing, August 1997
Third printing, July 2006

Copyright 1997 by New Leaf Press. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles and reviews. For information write: New Leaf Press, Inc., P.O. Box 726, Green Forest, AR 72638.

ISBN-13: 978-0-89221-357-3
ISBN-10: 0-89221-357-4
Library of Congress Catalog Number: 97-068953

Cover by Steve Diggs & Friends, Nashville, TN

www.newleafpress.net

Printed in the United States of America

To the
diamond of my life

my wife,
Jan,

my biggest fan for over
twenty years.

Thank you for...
loving me
sharing with me
giving to me
honoring me

and
most of all...
for always encouraging me.

Acknowledgments

My deepest appreciation to:

Ragan and Spencer for being the best young men a dad could hope for.

John Lockhart for opening my eyes to the world of encouragement.

Dan Bolin for believing in me and providing me with tremendous opportunities.

Carl Wenger for the many times of taking me to lunch that were filled with affirmation and encouraging words.

Kyle Cochran, Mike Haigh, Sam Moreton, and Bill Wellons for blessing me with their friendship and encouragement.

My first family thanks Dad, Mom, and Rita for all your love and encouragement

The staff, board, and families of Ozark Conference Center for your faithful love and support.

Cecil Price of Christian Information Ministries International for his helpful research.

Tim Dudley and Jim Fletcher of New Leaf Press for seeing the vision of this project and encouraging me to go for it.

All the teachers, coaches, family, friends, and co-workers who have invested in my life with their words of encouragement.

Contents

Pleasant words to others can
have a permanent, even eternal
impact for good.

Kenneth Parlin

Introduction

The Case for Encouragement

Encouragement... 1. To give courage, hope, or confidence 2. To help, give support; to be favorable; to foster: things that encourage.

The above definition from Websters Dictionary rings true in my heart and soul. As I reflect on my life, turning points of encouragement mark my path. Parents, teachers, friends, co-workers, and family mark my life with words of encouragement.

As we consider the word encouragement, we should heed the apostle Pauls words to the Hebrews. Encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near (Heb. 10:25). When we realize the value of mutual encouragement, consider the power unleashed and what could be accomplished. It is exciting to think that God has challenged us to encourage one another. The power of your encouraging words, spoken or written, could be the difference in the outcome of a single event or even ones life.

The great thing about encouragement is that anybody can do it. You dont need a lot of time, money, or things. You dont even have to be a certain age to reach out and come alongside someone and elevate them to greater heights. However, what you do need is a willingness to put someone elses value above your own to give them hope and encouragement.

A good place to start is in our homes. That is where actions are caught not taught. Children are like little sponges, waiting to soak up from their parents delight and encouragement. Let me challenge you to have a family that is different. Develop in your home a spirit of encouragement. You and your family will be forever grateful, and the encouragement modeled will continue for generations to come.

Dennis and Barbara Rainey, in their book Building Your Mates Self Esteem, share a great lesson. Words are powerful seeds. Once planted, words will bring forth flowers or weeds, health or disease, healing or poison. You carry a great responsibility for their use. There is no denying that the words we speak do make a difference. The words we write will be remembered. As we look at the powerful partnership of words and encouragement, consider planting your own seeds of kindness to reap a world in bloom. Therefore encourage each other with these words (1 Thess. 4:18).

Few of us realize how much we need encouragement. Yet we must bask in the warmth of approval now and then or lose our self-confidence. All of us need to feel needed and admired. But unless we hear words of praise from someone else, how can we know that we are valued as a friend or co-worker?

A miracle happens to the person whose selfesteem has been raised. Praise is the polish that helps keep his self-image bright and sparkling. What does this have to do with giving a word of praise (encouragement)? You have the ability to perform that kind of miracle in anothers life.

In a classic bit of advice, Lord Chesterfield suggested to his son that he follow the example of Duke de Nivernois: You will perceive that he makes people pleased with him by making them first pleased with themselves.

The effects of praise can be of great encouragement. A new pastor called to a church jokingly referred to as the refrigerator decided against criticizing his congregation for its coolness toward strangers. Instead, he began welcoming visitors from the pulpit and telling his congregation how friendly they were. Week after week he created the atmosphere of a friendly church, creating a picture of the church as he wanted it to be, giving his people a reputation to live up to. In time the congregation thawed. By encouraging and praising the icecube members they became warm-hearted human beings.

Encouragement helps rub off the sharp edges of daily contact. Nowhere is this more true than in marriage. Yet, it is in the home that the value of praise and encouragement is less practiced and appreciated. Children are especially hungry for praise, reassurance, appreciation, and encouragement. Take the time to find something positive to commend your child for and you will discover that both their ability and attitude improve. Words of encouragement are the most effective method of getting people to do their best.

As artists find the joy in giving beauty to others, so anyone who masters the art of encouragement through praising will find that it blesses the giver as much as the receiver. There are people everywhere in need of a good word, an uplifting compliment. The encouragement of others helps us move from fear to belief and action. Encouragement is the word, the note, the look that says, I care about you. Yes, you can do it. Encouragement is God-like. Scripture is full of promises about Gods provision for us in times of difficulty. God reassures His people, So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you: I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (Isa. 41:10).

Encouragement can make living in the midst of troubles easier. We need encouragement not just in crisis but in the midst of everyday life.

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! (Eccles. 4:910).

If you have ever been lifted up when you were suffering, you know the power of encouragement. Dr. Sinclair Ferguson

Im convinced God uses encouraging words to strengthen our resolve to succeed. Dr. William Mayo of the Mayo Clinic used praise and encouragement with young doctors training at the clinic. One young doctor said, Youd read a paper at a staff meeting and afterwards hed see you in the elevator or the hall and would shake your hand or put his hand on your shoulder with a quiet Good work and a straight warm look that made you know he meant it or perhaps a day or two later youd get a note from him, saying, Dear _________, I learned more about ________ from that paper of yours the other night than I ever knew before. It was a good job. Believe me, I prized those notes.