Affirm (v): to state or assert positively; to confirm or ratify. pronounce. testify. acknowledge. favor. recognize.
You know that warm, fuzzy feeling you get when someone compliments that beautiful dress you're wearing? or actually notices when you've slimmed down or gained that muscle you've been working on for weeks? or what about that positive attitude you've been demonstrating in a current tough situation? It feels amazing when someone notices something good within you and calls it out, doesn't it?! That act is called affirmation.
Let's take a step back. When you affirm someone you call out the good. You speak truth into their life. You say it out loud, face to face. You write it in a note and slip it into the mail. You stop your day to go the extra step to call out what you see in their life. You bring light into their life.
Calling out their demeanor or look is super-cool -- but I encourage you to go a step further. Call out their character. Did you see that person take a stance when everyone else was gossiping? Did that person offer grace and forgiveness in a sticky situation? Do you see a character trait that is undeniably excellent and unique? CALL IT OUT. Speak truth over their lives.
Gracious words are a honeycomb: sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. -Proverbs 16:24
I have watched sour situations turn sweet after a genuine word was shared. In my own life, I have witnessed a not-so-great day take a turn upward when truth was poured out over my wounds. It changes you. It makes you feel needed, wanted, validated. It makes you want to be the best person you can be. Wouldn't you want to reciprocate that feeling in others?
NEED AN EXAMPLE? I recently attended a meeting downtown Cincinnati after a busy work day. I entered the room not knowing anyone. A little unsure of what to expect, I exchanged greetings with others in the room then sat down quietly, curious of the agenda and heart of the ministry in front of me. A lady began speaking, and JOY was literally written across her face. She talked and lit up the room, inexplicably. Her personality was perfect for this situation, and her passion for others just radiated as she spoke. I could tell she invested her life into this ministry and wasn't holding anything back. Her heart was beautiful.
I found myself instantly smiling. Her excitement was contagious! I desperately wanted to share in that joy she was experiencing. It starts with a still, small voice. The meeting finished. A small thought came across my heart. Go tell her that she radiates joy. Tell her that you see her heart and passion when she talks in front of others. I stopped and paid attention to my heart racing. WHAT?! She's a stranger. I don't know her. Go tell her. The voice insisted.
I hesitantly yet semi-courageously walked over to her, knowing that obedience is often the first step to responding to that still, small voice tugging on my heart strings. I was pretty sure this was Jesus asking me to call out the good in her life; however, I inwardly argued with myself. I figured worse-case - even if this task wasn't from above, it was going to add something positive to her day -- and frankly, it was the truth. Her passion was real.
I made my way over to the line of people waiting to talk to her. I extended my hand and introduced myself. I whispered a quick prayer under my breath asking Jesus to help me only say what He wanted me to relay to her. I began to speak. Okay, I am suppose to be doing this. Her expression instantly changed, as I could tell from the tears welding up in her eyes that she needed to hear this message today.
Careful not to let those tears fall, she proceeded to tell me that this was something she had worked on for years. Having no confidence in herself when she joined this ministry, she began to tell me that she was finally comfortable in her own skin. It wasn't an easy task, but she was learning and beginning to see herself as God saw her. The sparkle in her eye and affirmation from above from the mouth of a stranger that she was on the right path uplifted more than just her evening. It uplifted her soul.
GRACIOUS WORDS ARE LIKE HONEY I watched as sweet words of truth fell upon her soul. As I turned to walk away, I found my eyes full of tears as I realized that I just witnessed the victory of a small act of obedience of speaking truth. As a daughter of the King, I am asked to call out the good - to be a mouthpiece and a messenger: what a heavenly mission. And you know what? I left that meeting feeling even more joyful than I could have ever imagined. Truth was called out. Good won.
Father, how often do I ignore that small, still voice of Yours. Align my priorities with your Kingdom. Give me kingdom vision - eyes to see what you see. Let me see ways in which I can affirm others, to speak truth over their lives. Give me courage to take big steps, even if it is out of my comfort zone. Use me in ways that I can't even imagine to further your truth. Thank you that I know how this story ends - good always wins.
