Chris Schenkel, the ABC Encourager, was a builder. I remember many times when he built me up. However, one occasion stands out above all the others. Many years ago, I shared with Chris that I had been thinking about moving away from the business. He stopped me in mid-sentence, something he had rarely done.

“No way! This business has been built by you. The customers’ relationships are with you. They depend upon you. Right now, they need you more than ever.”

Chris built me up when I felt let down. He built me up with words of affirmation. This was a pattern that I desired to implement in my own life. I am absolutely amazed at the power of words of affirmation. From children to business leaders, people rarely receive words that build them up. Consequently, when such words flow authentically from our mouths, they enter a person’s ears and travel straight to their hearts, bringing restoration.

Jesus was known for building up others — so much so that the people that He built up into faith in Him, with the Spirit’s power, literally changed the world after His ascension. The Apostle Paul was also the recipient of that building up, and he taught that we should do the same: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29). Paul knew that there is something about encouragement that restores the heart.

What about you? Will you choose to encourage others by building them up with words of affirmation? You will be amazed at what a few words directed toward building up another person can do for your relationship and for their encouragement.

Episode 113: Redemption with Zach Bertsch from mitchkrusetv on Vimeo.

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