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 through 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 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 someone you love and care about them. You say I care when you take the time to write out how you feel about someone. Maybe just a ten-minute hand written note or a one-hour written letter; either way, love on paper lasts. It is a gift that keeps on giving.

God has written His love letter to you, through the median of the Bible. He has modeled the way. Indeed, people desperately need affirmation and care. Everyday life has the tendency to suck out 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 your heart and God will lead your hand. If your penmanship is unintelligible use a keyboard. You have no excuse. It may be someone’s birthday (spiritual or physical), a job promotion, school graduation, a thank you, sickness, 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 mind, 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 one who is 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… a child of God, chosen by Him, to be 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, which 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).

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

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