APPRECIATION

And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake… – 1 Thessalonians 5: 12-13a

APPRECIATION means to recognize and admire others and to communicate your approval to them! It is taking the time to make people feel welcome and special by encouraging and uplifting them. Appreciation is a form of valuing others; whereby focus is taken off you and placed on God's will and purpose. It is fuelled from heartfelt gratitude to God for what we have and what He has done. This motivates us to give to, and value others with dignity, respect, and honor: “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another” (Rom. 12:10). The brethren in Thessalonica were enjoined to recognize those who labour among them, and esteem them very highly (1The. 5:12-18). Paul instructed Timothy to doubly honor elders who led well in the Word and in doctrine (1 Tim. 5:17). 1 Pet. 2:17a says, “Honor all people…”

Appreciation differs from gratitude, which is a response for what someone has done for you; that is, saying “thank you” in word and deed. Appreciation is honoring others while also being grateful for what you have. It is being thankful and glad for other people, family or friends. This could by offering a kind word at the right time and place to lead them out of depression, out of negative thoughts, or even suicide. Kind gestures can set a tone for healthy relationships and point others to Christ. Someone may be in dire need of sincere compliments and “lifting” at a critical stage in life (Job 22:29). Society is full of discouraging people who live to put others down; very few people live to build others up. Many are too preoccupied with themselves and their situations to see and value others. Therefore, it is of great value in God’s sight that we take the time to appreciate, celebrate, and thus, motivate others. When you learn to appreciate others, you are bound to appreciate in life!

APPRECIATION produces MOTIVATION. Whatever we praise, we increase. Whatever we appreciate, we elevate. Mother Teresa said, “There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than for bread.” People have a way of becoming what you encourage them to be. Spend your life lifting people up, not putting or pulling them down. There are two types of people in the world: those who come into a room and say, “Here I am!” and those who come in and say, “Ah, there you are!” According to Bernard Gimbel, “Two things are bad for the heart – running uphill and running down people. Appreciated people achieve the best; dominated people achieve second best; and neglected people achieve the least. William Arthur said, “Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I may not forget you.” Correction does much, but appreciation and encouragement do much more.

The opposites of appreciation are: callousness, disregard, disrespect, disapproval, and insensitivity. All of these spring from the root of pride, and are de-motivators. When all you think of is yourself, then, pride will prevent you from being appreciative of others. Michal, Saul’s daughter, rather than appreciate King David’s exuberant worship of his God, despised him in her heart and went further to voice out her disdain. She was perhaps more concerned about his personal dignity than to appreciate him. The result: barrenness became her life partner (2Sam.6:16-23). Give Words of Appreciation. Never miss the chance to say a kind word to another person. A compliment is like verbal sunshine: “How forceful are right words...” (Job 6:25). Never be sparing with giving words of appreciation, especially when they are observed by those around you. Everyone loves Praise. Look out for ways to give it to them. The good words you give are worth so much and cost so little!