I enjoy complimenting people! If I’m at work or at a store, and I see a woman with a nice hairstyle or outfit, I can’t resist the urge to compliment her. When I encounter someone who provides great customer service, I tell them that I appreciate their help and that they were able to help me resolve an issue. I love to see a person’s face light up with a smile.

Here’s a few reasons why I enjoy encouraging others:

Encouragement can brighten someone’s day. Maybe it’s the co-worker at your office, the cashier at your local grocery store, or even another shopper at a supermarket. Perhaps it’s your favorite content creator on social media or it could be content creators that you don’t follow, but you come across their content quite often. You never know what types of problems people are dealing with in their personal lives. They could be having a rough day and hearing something positive could give them hope and make them feel supported. I would rather use my words to uplift people instead of trying to diminish them; we have too much of this going on in the world (and on social media) right now. 

Encouragement lets people know they are seen. We tend to be preoccupied with our own problems, things we have to do, or our families. When we take the time to point out something positive in someone, we’re saying, “Hey, I see you!” It lets them know that their hard work is not in vain. There are times when it feels difficult or even pointless to do the right thing in a world that promotes bad behavior. Galatians 6:9 states, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Bible App NIV).

Encouragement can boost a person’s confidence. Ever have a day where you’re not liking your hair, your outfit, or yourself overall? But then someone gives you a compliment about your hair, and it helps you to see things differently: “Maybe it doesn’t look as bad as I thought it did.” Now I’m not saying we should be dependent on other’s compliments to increase our confidence. However, positive, genuine compliments can really help someone at the right moment. 

I believe that God used people to encourage me during difficult times, and I want to continue to do the same for others. The Bible says that “as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people” (Galatians 6:10 Bible App NIV). When we encourage others, God may be using us to show people that He loves them and sees them. Matthew 5:16 says “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Bible App NIV).