Written Affirmation

The written word is a life-changing medium of communication that never goes out of style. For example, Holy Scripture has been passed down throughout history. It relates God’s heart and encourages people. Verbal communication can get lost over time, but the written word has the opportunity to persevere. So why not reach out and affirm with personal notes?

Yes, it takes time to arrange thoughts and piece sentences together, but what a fantastic way to show others you love and care about them. You say that you care when you take the time to write how you feel about someone. Maybe it is just a ten-minute handwritten note or a one-hour handwritten letter; either way, love on paper lasts. It is a gift that keeps giving.

God has written His love letter to you through the medium of the Bible. He has modeled the way. Indeed, people desperately need affirmation and care. Every day life has the tendency to suck energy and hope from people, but we have the noble task of infusing courage and life through the written word. You do not have to be a gifted writer to write.

You simply need the heart; God will lead your hand. If your penmanship is unintelligible, use a keyboard. You have no excuse. The occasion may be someone’s birthday (spiritual or physical), a job promotion, a school graduation, a thank you, a sickness, a death, a wedding anniversary, or for no special reason but to say, “I am thinking about you.”

How does it make you feel when you receive an unexpected note of encouragement? Someone writes to affirm you as a mom, father, husband, wife, grandparent, Bible teacher, homemaker, friend, or a mentor. You probably feel undeserving; yet you are filled with gratitude. When you receive written affirmation, pay it forward to someone else.

Perhaps each time you receive an e-mail, note, or letter of affirmation, send one on to another needy soul. This is a gift that keeps on giving. Truth is stored in our hearts and minds with the ability to flush out lies of unworthiness and discouragement. It is not unusual for someone to physically file away written affirmation, only to taste its meaty morsels in future days of loneliness. Encouraging words transfer courage for living.

Written encouragement is a balm for the wounded heart and food for the hungry soul. It never loses its luster and effectiveness. It is always there to draw on. Especially reach out to those who are snared by sin. Instead of ignoring or judging the fallen as they wallow in the consequences of their bad choices, affirm them. Take the time to write out who they are in Christ and what God thinks about them—children of God, chosen by Him, His workmanship in Christ, and joint-heirs with Jesus!

Written affirmation is not a test where you are graded for grammar, spelling, and style. Rather, it is a tool in the hand of God that offers hope, peace, love, and encouragement to His children. Share your heart with pen and paper, and the Lord will love through you.

“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13).

Prayer: What types of written words from others affirm me? On what occasion can I write to encourage friends and family?

Related Readings: Psalm 102:18; John 20:31; Hebrews 13:22; 1 John 1:4

Taken from the July 13th reading in the 365-day devotional book, “Seeking Daily the Heart of God” volume 2… http://bit.ly/Tv6y9a

Post/Tweet: Written encouragement is a balm for the wounded heart and food for the hungry soul. #wrritenaffirmation

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