Laura Laughlin Life Lesson #11
LAURA LIFE LESSON #11 – Be an encourager
People love having “an encourager” in their life. Think of the person doing this for you in your life. They are irreplaceable, right? So, why is it we often find ourselves prone to complaining, criticizing, comparing, or judging? Many reasons are given, but they all fall short. We may believe if someone else achieves more or has more, than we are inferior to them. Not true! History shows the way to build yourself up is to build others around you up first. We may even believe we don’t have the time to be this type of person. Wrong again! If you have time to complain, criticize, compare, or judge, then you have more than enough time to encourage. The truth, being an encourager is a learned behavior and a choice. The good news is, we can and should do a better job.
We all have people in our lives providing us with much needed and frequent encouragement. Laura is the single greatest example for me to offer up as a person of this type. Whenever a friend or family member of hers has a situation calling for encouragement, an important job interview, a big exam, a major life changing event, or a significant problem, Laura moves to action. She swoops in at the right time to build you up, describing to you all your becoming qualities and telling you how you are going to go in there and “own it” (that’s her phrase!). While others may view this task as burdensome and even unnecessary, Laura sees it as an opportunity and a source of pure joy.
We are surrounded continually by opportunities to encourage. Fight the urge and the natural impulse to complain, to criticize, to judge, or to compare. How do we achieve this transformation and renew our thoughts and behaviors? By trusting in the principles of Christ and making a choice and a commitment to step out of our comfort zone. By becoming an active encourager, you will find your own never ending supply. Make the change. The people you care about may be waiting, in need of your words and some reassuring encouragement.
SO ENCOURAGE EACH OTHER AND BUILD EACH OTHER UP, JUST AS YOU ARE ALREADY DOING. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
We love you,
Jeff and Laura Laughlin
People love having “an encourager” in their life. Think of the person doing this for you in your life. They are irreplaceable, right? So, why is it we often find ourselves prone to complaining, criticizing, comparing, or judging? Many reasons are given, but they all fall short. We may believe if someone else achieves more or has more, than we are inferior to them. Not true! History shows the way to build yourself up is to build others around you up first. We may even believe we don’t have the time to be this type of person. Wrong again! If you have time to complain, criticize, compare, or judge, then you have more than enough time to encourage. The truth, being an encourager is a learned behavior and a choice. The good news is, we can and should do a better job.
We all have people in our lives providing us with much needed and frequent encouragement. Laura is the single greatest example for me to offer up as a person of this type. Whenever a friend or family member of hers has a situation calling for encouragement, an important job interview, a big exam, a major life changing event, or a significant problem, Laura moves to action. She swoops in at the right time to build you up, describing to you all your becoming qualities and telling you how you are going to go in there and “own it” (that’s her phrase!). While others may view this task as burdensome and even unnecessary, Laura sees it as an opportunity and a source of pure joy.
We are surrounded continually by opportunities to encourage. Fight the urge and the natural impulse to complain, to criticize, to judge, or to compare. How do we achieve this transformation and renew our thoughts and behaviors? By trusting in the principles of Christ and making a choice and a commitment to step out of our comfort zone. By becoming an active encourager, you will find your own never ending supply. Make the change. The people you care about may be waiting, in need of your words and some reassuring encouragement.
SO ENCOURAGE EACH OTHER AND BUILD EACH OTHER UP, JUST AS YOU ARE ALREADY DOING. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
We love you,
Jeff and Laura Laughlin
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