“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”

– William Arthur Ward

When someone gives me praise for a job well done, I love it! I can live off of that compliment for days. It touches me that someone noticed a good deed or attribute and took the time to tell me. Their appreciation makes me want to do more and give more.

Knowing how much I appreciate an encouraging word makes me aware that others want and need encouragement and acknowledgment. I consciously make an effort to speak a word of thanks to people around me, knowing that God has commissioned me to do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:1 says, “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”

The greatest example of “speaking life” is what Christ does every day for us. He gives us so many promises and words of life. Each day I can read verses from him like John 10:10-11, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

Since there are 5467 promises from God in the Bible, there is a promise every day for 15 years without repeating one of them. His promises are new every morning and there is no expiration on them. It is so good to know that even if no one else acknowledges my gifts and abilities, God sees and he speaks life to me and to you.

Here are 7 Ways You Can Show Appreciation to Those Around You:

1. Do it often. Recognition of the people who serve should happen on a year-round, frequent, and informal basis. Begin by saying “thank you” often! Acts 15:32 says,” And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words.”
2. Do it in different ways. Vary your recognition efforts with things like coffee, thank you notes, or a kind word. Philippians 4:8 says, ”Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
3. Be sincere. Philippians 2:3-4, ”Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
4. Recognize the person, not the work. Phrase recognition to emphasize the contribution of the individual and not the end result. “You did a great job!” as opposed to “This is a great job!” Romans 1:11, “For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you.”
5. Be consistent. Make showing appreciation for others a daily task. Galatians 6:9, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
6. Be timely. Recognize the person’s achievement soon after it has been reached. Although sending a letter about something you remember from years ago can have great meaning, too. Hebrews 13:3, “Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.”
7. Customize it. Attempt to do or say something that will resonate with that particular person. In other words, I typically don’t send flowers to a man, but a coffee gift card works great. Isaiah 1:17, “Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.”