The List of Good Words
Years ago I had a meeting with a guy who was very depressed. He explained to me soberly that he had considered taking his life. After listening to him, it became obvious that he had a very low self esteem.
This guy had a ton going for him, but he simply didn’t believe anything good about himself. I asked him to tell me three positive traits about himself, and he couldn’t do it.
On the spot, I felt like God prompted me to speak directly into his life. I told him that his low self esteem was breaking God’s heart. God had created him and made him special and his self-doubt was insulting God.
I told him we weren’t ending our appointment until he wrote 100 positive qualities—not three.
Slowly, he shyly explained, “Well, I am faithful friend.” And we wrote that down. He continued, “Some people think I’m funny.” Number two was recorded. After some encouragement, he humbly admitted, “I am a pretty good writer.” And off he went. Before long, he was rattling off things as fast I could write them down. Through the tears, he listed off positive qualities until we got to 100.
He later moved to another town and we lost touch. Years after our meeting, he approached me after church while in town visiting. With his new wife on his arm, he came up and hugged me and pulled the same piece of paper out of his wallet. He explained with great emotion that those words had changed his life.
It is amazing how God can use a few words.
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Awesome story! Wise advice. I see plenty of Scripture verses talking about encouragement but none about tearing down. Yes, I am a sinner but once cleansed by the blood of Jesus the old is gone. That includes my “loser life and thoughts.” This is a good post to pass on.
Great story! Thanks for your obedience. I was meditating on Proverbs 20:5 and you gave me the perfect illustration (and application).
Great story! Thanks for sharing and being faithful to continue to speak positive words into us through your blog.
Be careful Craig. We might all be calling LC to get an appointment like that one ;>)
Jeremiah 33:3 comes to mind (God is into future and hope words)
Great story. First thing that popped into my head was, I need to be a Barnabas too.
Words are one of the most powerful tool God gave us, we do need to use them wisely.
Thanks Craig - what an incredible story. Prov 25:11 timely advice. Most off us struggle on both ends - giving words of encouragement and also seeing ourselves in as created special by God.
Great series of posts this week. It was been a great reminder to me. I need to speak uplifting words more often.
I can personally testify to the power of that realization - that I was insulting God and not valuing something wonderful He had made. I was on the receiving end of the same words you spoke to that man Craig, from our assistant pastor and he also said it was negative pride. And even better, once I chose to turn from that way of thinking and behaving and believing all the negative about myself, he did not leave me there alone; my pastor encouraged me as I learned to see and walk in the truth of who I am in Christ, as His child over whom He has said, “It is good”. My life is marked now by freedom and courage and more peace. I have been set free to serve those around me instead of hiding in fear. This pastor has moved away but I have never stopped giving thanks to God for making our paths cross.
Craig,
Thank you for your faithfulness to God’s Spirit. Thank you for listening, and doing…
God bless YOU!
A David Crowder song speaks this to me, “You make everything glorious. I am yours. What does that make me?”
I’m partly posting this comment because at Catalyst you encouraged me personally to interact more on this blog. I’ve really been enjoying these posts and they have really challenged me to look for these opportunities in my life. But today I realized it’s not just about speaking life into others; we have to make time to speak life into others. I realize that the value I assign people translates into the amount of time I spend with them and it is time that helps to create opportunity.
I’m ruined on this one…
beautiful
beautiful story
[...] well. To balance out what may have seemed like a harsh post, I would encourage you to check out this post by Craig Groeschel. He says it a whole lot better than I can so I will let him speak to you, to [...]
This is encouraging me today.
What is amazing as well as those words were intrinsic to his person. God had already birthed in him qualities that were at first glance dormant. By bringing them to the surface it shows that we can get back in touch with our Creator when we recognize His creation in us.
Wow! Those are the words I said out loud as I read this. Wow!
It’s intresting to me to think about not only who WE are in Christ, but also, who HE is in us.
I think it is who HE is in US that allows us to walk out who WE are in HIM. The treasures are already there, the gifts are without repentance. BUT, we have to let HIM be in US who he is and that is what brings out who WE are in HIM. Does that make sense?
Sometimes we can get down on ourselves because we feel our ministry work is in vain. I think in those cases we should build on this concept and make a list of 100 times God has used us to help someone else. What a powerful testimony of His faithfulness that could be!
Wow.
Makes this encourager want to encourage more.
simply… divine.
This is a great tool to use when overcoming insecurity!
[...] check out what this guy found out when he told his pastor he couldn’t even name three postive things about [...]