Don’t You Just Love Compliments?

Don’t you just love compliments?

Of course we love compliments!

They make us feel valued!

Noticed.

Confident.

Encouraged.

Successful.

There have been so many times that my life has been enriched by a sincere compliment. There have been times that a compliment has been the fuel that took me to the next step on my journey.Because I have freely received, I want to freely give.

So I’ve become intentional in giving compliments.

 

It’s pretty amazing how compliments work,

 every time I give one, it blesses me!

Do you realize that giving compliments can be as awesome as receiving them? Tweet this!

 

As I started inside a gas station, I spotted an elderly lady pumping her gas. I noticed her curly hair and then her beautiful face. I had to stop and tell her how beautiful she was. It was a quick stop. From the shock on her face, I don’t think her mirror told her what I saw. Her face lit up, as she stumbled for words to express her gratitude. I assure you, I enjoyed giving that compliment as much as she did hearing it.

 

And then there’s the little guy who held the door open for me at the grocery store. You should have seen his face light up when I complimented his good manners. It makes me smile just thinking about him.

 

But some people find giving compliments difficult.

Have you ever worked for a person that squandered compliments like they were $100 bills?

Or experienced a compliment that was so given so grudgingly and limp that it was almost offensive?

Or endured an obligatory compliment?

Do you have one of those friends who lauds everyone so inclusively that the words are stripped of their power?

 

I’ve discovered

Recognizing someone’s talent, accomplishment or success doesn’t diminish mine. Tweet this!

I can find something good in everyone.

A compliment has the power to encourage. Tweet this!

 

Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up. Proverbs 12:24 nlt Tweet this!

Kind words are like honey–sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. Proverbs 16:24 nlt Tweet this!

 

That reality propels me to encourage.

If you are a leader, you need to utilize the power of compliments. It’s like capturing the wind and utilizing its power. Tweet this!

 

If you’re not convinced, here’s one more reason to distribute genuine compliments.

…whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25b nit Tweet this!

Not flattery! Yuck!

Flattery is nauseating. Compliments and flattery are polar opposites. Flattery is insincere or manipulative in nature. Guard your heart. Deal with the root that produces flattery.

 

A good strategy is to be a good finder.

See the good in people.

Look for the good in people and you will find it. Look for the bad and you will find that too!

And by the way, while I am looking for the good, sometimes I see the bad. When I notice a weak trait or a need in someone, I pray over their need, then continue looking for the gold in them.

 

 

I’ve learned some things from people that give compliments really well…

Say it.

Point out the treasures, gifts, the greatness you see in them!

Sometimes, more often than you might think, people don’t see what you see.

So hearing it from someone can make a huge difference.

Smile and look them in the eye when you give your compliment.

Be sincere.

Be specific.

The more specific the better.

If the cake was light and fluffy, say so. If the sermon blessed you, give a specific thought that was encouraging to you. If they remembered something about your interests or your taste, compliment their good memory or attention to detail.

Be generous with your compliments.

Everywhere you go look for people that are showing kindness, generosity and skillfulness.

One last question.

Do you squander compliments like they were $100 bills? Why?