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The Strongest Muscle
One of my favorite football stories underscores the importance of encouragement. Motivation often occurs out of the huddle of encouragement. In football, there was probably no greater leader and encourager than the Hall of Famer quarterback - Bart Starr. When Bart was in his prime there was none better. He utilized his mind and voice to prompt and inspire his team.
While football was a very important part of Bart’s life, his family was his central focus. It is interesting to note that many successful football players usually have a loving and supportive family that encourages and inspires them during the tough times.
During the season Bart would try to stay updated with the kids’ activities by weekly reviewing their homework and tests. If the paper was particularly good he would tape a dime to the work and write a note “I Love You and I’m Proud of You!”
In 1965 Bart had a bad game against the St. Louis Cardinals. There was a national television audience and most of America’s football audience was watching. The Green Bay Quarterback fumbled a few times and in the last minutes threw an interception that cost his team the victory. That night the team flew back to Green Bay. Late that evening Bart got home only to find a note placed on the refrigerator door. It read, “Dad, I saw your game today. I want you to know I love you and I’m still proud of you.” signed Bart Jr.
The words of encouragement from his young son had their impact on Bart, his family and the Green Bay Packers. Bart realized the importance timely comforting remarks could have on a person’s perspective. Unfortunately, as Bart Jr. matured he allowed peer pressure to change his positive outlook on life. He did not stay with the encouraging concepts his dad taught.
Articulating a positive and encouraging attitude can motivate people in a special way. Our tongues are but a little muscle but have enormous power for both good and evil. In the Book of Proverbs we find many references dealing with the positive use of our tongue, “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 12:18 “He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.” Proverbs 21:23
WEBSTER says this about encouragement: To inspire with courage, hope of resolution, to help or foster.
Encouraging others is counter to what our society is projecting. Critics and scoffers are abundant. When we aren’t at the top of our game or our business there are many who will doubt and become critical or even cynical. It is good to remember that Jesus came to encourage - "The Lord came to lift up (encourage) the downtrodden." Luke 4:16-18
The following is adapted from some writings of Oz Hillman. Let’s think about how our tongues can be used for encouragement and motivation.
Power of the Tongue
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. (Proverbs 18:21)
Words have the power to motivate or destroy. Energize or deflate. Inspire or create despair. Many a successful executive can remember the time their father failed to give affirmation to them as a child. The result was either over-achievement to prove their worth or under-achievement to prove he was right.
Many a wife has lost her ability to love because of a critical husband. Many a husband has left a marriage because of words of disrespect and ungratefulness. Many an athlete has not performed to his/her ultimate capacity because a coach could not evaluate without attacking the person’s character or self-image. Stories abound to the power of words. There are just as many stories of those that have been encouraged, challenged and comforted with words that made a difference in their life.
Jesus knew the power of words. He used parables to convey his principles of God’s Kingdom. He used words of forgiveness and mercy. He used words to challenge. He used words to inspire His disciples to miraculous faith.
I believe it is especially significant that during Christ's ministry, God chose two critical times to express His encouragement and love of His Son.
- Matt. 3:16-17-- (John Baptizing Jesus)
- Matt 17: 3-5-- (Christ’s Transfiguration).
Both times God said to His only begotten Son, “I LOVE YOU, I'M PROUD OF YOU!” (Jim Grassi paraphrase of “ This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”)
Do your words give life? Do they inspire and challenge others to greatness? Who does God want you to encourage through your words today? Affirm someone close to you today.
“ Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing”.James 3:5-10
Have a great week.
Jim |
