Praise- Be Someone's Sunshine

There are some people that I really like.  They are like warm, fuzzy blankets. They are like hot chocolate on a cold day. They are like sunshine.

And then there are others, who bring the dark cloud of gloom and doom and just suck the life out of me.

I hope that I am in the former category for other people, but I fear that sometimes I am in the latter.

It's easy to pick apart these individuals.  They are usually negative, and negativity (and positivity!) are contagious.  You know the type... they complain about EVERYTHING.

Philippians 4:8 reminds us that "... if there be any praise, think on these things."

That means praising God, absolutely.

But I can't help but think it means praising other people, too.

Dictionary.com defines praise as: "The act of expressing approval or accommodation."

We all know our weaknesses. I don't need anyone to point out to me that my house is messy, and that at times I am lazy, and that at times I am defensive.  I know these things.

It is sometimes much more difficult to see our strengths... and does anyone even notice? Does anyone even care?

Yes. 

As I've been reading this chapter this month, a verse continually comes to mind.  Ephesians 4:29 says, "Let no corrupt communication  proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers."

Matthew 12: 34, "... out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks."

Matthew 12: 36, "...every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment."

This verse scares me, because I say A LOT of idle words.  A LOT.  Mostly about other people.  And not the kind of thing that builds them up.

However, when I am using Philippians 4:8, it gives me a filter through which to look at people.  When I am thinking of praises, I'm looking at the good in people.

And we shouldn't just think them.

If you're thinking someone does a good job, tell them.  Verbally. Or write them a note.  Or send them a text message.  Or post something on Facebook.

I guarantee they were wondering if someone noticed. That communication is good to the use of edifying... building one another up.  It ministers grace to that person.  And it just may be enough to cause them to focus on that positive aspect of themselves and do something to correct the negative.

As Angela Thomas always tells her son, "You... be the Sunshine."

Praise someone today!

This is part of my series on Philippians 4:8 for the #write31days challenge.