“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.“

 1 Thessalonians 5:11  (ESV)

Affirmation is one of the most important things we can do for our relationships. It’s a way of showing someone that we value them, that we believe in them, and that we see their potential. When we affirm others, we’re not just making them feel good; we’re also helping them to grow and become the best versions of themselves.

There are many different ways to affirm someone. We can tell them how much we appreciate them, how proud we are of them, or how much we value their friendship. We can also affirm their strengths and talents, and encourage them to pursue their dreams.

Affirmation is especially important in romantic relationships. When we affirm our partners, we’re telling them that we love and accept them for who they are. We’re also showing them that we believe in them and that we’re committed to their growth. This can help to create a strong and lasting bond between two people.

Of course, this can also go the opposite direction when we choose not to affirm others. And I should mention that we don’t just affirm others by the words that come out of our month. We can also affirm others with our actions. 

Do we truly believe that they are capable of doing what they are setting out to accomplish? If not then don’t tell them you believe in them.  Because that will have the opposite effect as you might intend.

The other morning, I was having a conversation with my older brother. Someone who I have always looked up to (even if he hasn’t realized it). He found his career path right out of high school and chose to stick with it and It has made him a good living.  

On the other hand, I spent over 1 decade trying to figure out where God needed me to be and what he needed me to do. You should know that I love my brother, but we are definitely different people.

We were chatting at a community breakfast, and he asked me, “How’s the software? Is it doing everything you dreamed?” but here’s the thing I could hear the skepticism in his voice as he asked the question.  He didn’t really want to ask this question, he was just filling the silence. And he thought he knew the answer already, not as good as it should be. 

As I told him a little about what was going on and a few of the issues that we had encountered he literally sat back in his chair and presumed the position of “just as I thought”, and he didn’t even know he was doing it. 

At that point, he could have said anything affirming that we would make it through it. And, it would have fallen on deaf ears. All because of his unconscious actions. 

That my friends right there is why I STOPPED building my beliefs on what others think I am capable of. I know that I have an aunt and some cousins who KNEW we would fail in our business. And they have NO IDEA just how successful we are. And they NEVER will. And guess what???  I could care less what they think.  All that I care about is what I KNOW I am capable of. 

Your self-affirmation is probably the most important affirmation there is. What do you believe about yourself?  Henry Ford said it best when he said, “Whether you believe you can or you can’t, you are RIGHT.”

Of course, affirmation can be challenging. Sometimes, it can be difficult to find the right words to say. But it’s important to remember that even a simple compliment can make a big difference. So don’t be afraid to tell the people you love how much you appreciate them. Your affirmation helps them to reach their full potential.

Here are some tips for giving affirmation in your relationships:

• Be specific. Don’t just say “I love you.” Tell your partner what you love about them.
• Be genuine. Your affirmation should be sincere. Don’t just say something to make someone feel good.
• Be timely. Affirmation is most effective when it’s given in the moment.
• Be consistent. Affirmation shouldn’t be something you do only once in a while. It should be a regular part of your relationship.

Affirmation is a powerful tool that can help to strengthen your relationships. So don’t be afraid to use it! Tell the people you love how much you appreciate them. Your affirmation could be the thing that makes their day.

In addition to the tips above, here are some specific ways to affirm your partner in a romantic relationship:

• Tell them how attractive you find them.
• Compliment their intelligence, sense of humor, or other qualities.
• Tell them how much you enjoy spending time with them.
• Support their goals and dreams.
• Be there for them when they need you.
• Show them that you love them in both big and small ways.

When you affirm your partner, you’re not just making them feel good; you’re also helping them to feel more confident, secure, and loved. This can lead to a stronger, more fulfilling relationship for both of you.