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Appreciation: A source
of tremendous
encouragement
Frank Borg
How can we inspire
ourselves, and others,
to greater spiritual
growth? There is one
Godly trait that we
could all develop and
use more effectively in
our efforts to inspire
ourselves and those with
whom we come into
contact.
In today’s fast paced
world, people selfishly
omit to convey
appreciation towards
others, and even towards
God! 2 Timothy 3:1-3
tells us “that in the
last days…men shall be
lovers of their own
selves…unthankful…without
natural affection”. Are
we too wrapped up in our
own selfish interests?
Are we perhaps
insensitive or uncaring
to the welfare of those
around us? Timothy tells
us that in the ‘last
days’ – or in this end
time - when material
possessions and the
obsession to acquire
wealth is unparalleled
and unprecedented,
selfishness would abound
and, as a result, people
would be unthankful and
would lose their natural
affection toward others.
These terms refer to
those who think
they have a right to be
served and waited upon,
yet feel no obligation
to return the favor and,
worse still, do not
express gratitude for
what is done. Could we
relate to this? Do we
selfishly think we have
a right to services from
our spouse’s, our
children, employees,
colleagues or from
anyone else that we may
have an affiliation with
or with whom we come
into contact, without
demonstrating our
appreciation for what is
done for us?
On the term ‘without
natural affection’
(verse 3), Clarke’s
Commentary indicates
that people have lost or
are losing ‘that
affection which parents
[should] bear to their
young, and which the
young [should] bear to
their parents’. The type
of affection being
described in this verse
is ‘an affection which
is common to every class
of animals;
consequently, men
without it are worse
than brutes’! If we do
not show affection, or
are unappreciative of
others, we are here
compared to being worse
than animals! Verse 5
tells us that if we fall
into this selfish
attitude, although we
have a ‘form of
Godliness’, we would be
‘denying the power
thereof’. This same
verse concludes by
telling us: ‘from such
turn away’!!
There is great power in
expressing appreciation,
and also in receiving
it. In addition to
uplifting the person
expressing it,
appreciation can truly
encourage and motivate
people who receive it.
This is a small way in
which we can help
encourage others to
develop Godly character!
Hebrews 10:24 states:
“Let us consider one
another to provoke unto
love and good works”. We
must regard the
wellbeing and happiness
of others so that we can
make an effort to excite
them, edify them and
help them to persist in
their life and in their
calling. When we show
appreciation, we rouse
and ‘provoke’ that
person to perform better
in any given task, even
in their spiritual
growth! When we
demonstrate appreciation
we excite others to
further good works.
It is important to be
aware of, and
acknowledge, the effort
and successes of all
those around us. There
is true power in
expressing appreciation
for each other.
Philippians 4:8
admonishes us to
meditate on the things
which are praiseworthy,
and if there is anything
worthy of praise we
ought to praise!
We are to give thanks in
everything! “In
everything give thanks:
for this is the will of
God in Christ Jesus
concerning you” (1
Thess.5:18). Every good
thing that we experience
is something for which
we should express
appreciation and
gratitude. We should
also be appreciative of
our trials (1 Peter
1:6), because it is from
these that we can learn,
grow and build Godly
character.
Showing appreciation to
those around us, and
most importantly to God
for all that He has done
and given us, also
promotes a positive,
uplifting attitude
within us. This type of
attitude radiates joy
and other right kind of
fruits (Gal 5)! These
are the type of fruits
which people that we
come into contact with
can positively feed off!
How powerful is the
trait of showing
appreciation to others!
Let us give thanks
always for all things
(Ephesians 5:20). Give
thanks to God and those
we come into contact
with. Once this
admonition is applied
diligently, fantastic
rewards will be reaped
by those showing
appreciation as well as
by those receiving it!
Let’s inspire ourselves
and others to greater
spiritual growth by
showing appreciation!
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