We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. 2 Thessalonians 1:3
How do you encourage another person without flattering them?
If someone keeps telling us how marvelous we are, we will be tempted to pride. And we are always being told how great we are, especially by people who want to sell us something. On the other hand, if we are never affirmed, we eventually get discouraged.
What do you say to a person who is doing well? How do you encourage your own family? How do you encourage your children? And how do you encourage others in the church, where you want to encourage others without flattering them?
Paul shows us how to affirm a person without spoiling them. First, he thanks God for the Thessalonians in his own prayers, and then he tells them that he is doing so. John Stott says, “If we follow this example, we will avoid both congratulation which corrupts and silence which discourages… This way affirms without flattering and encourages without puffing up.”
Learn to identify the grace of God in others, because that is precisely what Paul is doing here. And when you pray, thank God for the grace you see in their lives. Then look for an opportunity to tell the person, “I thank God for his grace, which I see so clearly at work in your life.”
Who could use some encouragement (without flattering) from you today?
