1 Thessalonians 5:11 (CEB)

11 So continue encouraging each other and building each other up, just like you are doing already.


Reflection

Recently when scrolling through social media, I saw this video that made my heart warm. In the video , this person just drives around filming themselves stopping random people and complimenting them. Maybe it was for their outfit, or hair, or smile, or anything. Most reactions were the same no matter the kind of person being complimented: they began rather confused and defensive about a random person approaching them, and then after hearing the compliment, ended up smiling and looking away embarrassed, often with a, “no, you don’t really mean that.” But across the board, everyone always walked away in a better mood and having a better day then they were just a moment prior.

I really love todays short but sweet verse: “continue encouraging each other and building each other up”. Amen! Everyone loses when we’re overly and unnecessarily critical of those around us. Life is hard enough, the world is chaotic enough, why make someone’s day worse by criticizing them when you could be a part of giving them the boost they need? Through God, we know ho beautiful the world can be. Let’s be a part of sharing that beauty today!

By Rachel Callender


For Pondering & Prayer

Who’s your biggest cheerleader? How do they benefit your life, confidence, and self-esteem? I challenge you to go out of your way to compliment someone today who you normally wouldn’t compliment – a cashier, someone else in line with you, anyone!

Prayer: God of love, you have sculpted each one of us for happiness. May we, today, be a part of spreading that happiness to everyone we meet. Amen.