Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
Colossians 3:23

Encourage

I recently read something written by Mart DeHaan (a noted writer and author) that is so true, and so vital to personal as well as corporate success, that I’m going to quote it here:

In the workplace, words of encouragement matter. How employees talk to one another has a bearing on customer satisfaction, company profits, and co-worker appreciation. Studies show that members of the most effective workgroups give one another six times more affirmation than disapproval, disagreement, or sarcasm. Least productive teams tend to use almost three negative comments for every helpful word.[1]

The question for each of us to ask ourselves about our presence at work is, Am I an encourager or a critic? Do I build people up or tear them down? Am I affirming or am I disapproving? Am I one who tries to contribute to a pleasant work environment, or do I contribute to a rotten atmosphere? Do I see customers as the most important part of our business, or do I see them as an interruption, a pain in the neck with all their demands? And here’s the final question: Based on the above, am I a part of the most effective work group, or do I belong to the least productive one?

If it’s the latter, it’s time you made up your mind to bring about positive change at work—first in your thinking, and then in your behaviour. Count yourself out of the down-at-the-mouth, unhappy group, and join the cheerful, going-places gang. By doing this you’ll soon be able to say, “Thank God for Monday morning too,” instead of only looking forward to Friday and the weekend.

This change in attitude and behaviour, like any other one that matters, won’t be easy; but you can do it if you stick to it and seek God’s help.

There’s no thrill in easy sailing,
When the sky is clear and blue;
There’s no joy in merely doing
Things which anyone can do.
But there is some satisfaction
That is mighty sweet to take,
When you’ve reached a destination
That you thought you couldn’t make.

Author Unknown

                   So encourage each other and build each other up.          —1 Thessalonians 5:11

[1] Mart DeHaan, “Reason to Smile,” in Our Daily Bread, June 20, 2017.

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