THE POWER OF AFFIRMATION

LaMar shares insights into why affirming others is essential, and the benefits affirmations bring. LaMar gives ten ways to affirm others best.

TRANSCRIPT:
"…a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased and delighted!” Matthew 3:17 AMP

Don't you enjoy it when people affirm you? Affirmations are important to our well-being. Children naturally long for their parent’s approval, yet parents often struggle to express that approval, especially when a child’s choices differ from their expectations. Affirmation and approval are crucial for a toddler’s development and essential during the transition from adolescence to adulthood.

Jesus Himself experienced moments of disapproval from His earthly parents, as seen when He was twelve years old (Luke 2:41-51). Later, around the age of thirty, He left His family home to begin His adult life and public ministry. Before starting this journey, He received the most significant affirmation—His Heavenly Father’s approval.

At the start of His public ministry, Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. On this pivotal day, God audibly expressed His approval, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.” This divine affirmation not only confirmed Jesus’ identity but also affirmed His messianic role as He began His mission.

Affirming others effectively is about recognizing their value, strengths, and contributions in a way that is genuine, specific, and meaningful. Here are some ways to best affirm others:
1. Be Genuine and Sincere
• Ensure that your affirmations come from a place of authenticity. People can usually sense when praise is insincere or forced, so it’s important to mean what you say. Speak from the heart and let your appreciation be genuine.
2. Be Specific
• Rather than offering general compliments, focus on specific actions, qualities, or achievements. For example, instead of saying, "You’re doing a great job," say, "I really appreciate how you handled that difficult situation with patience and skill."
3. Acknowledge Effort and Growth
• Affirm not just results but also the effort and progress someone has made. Recognizing someone’s hard work or improvement can be incredibly motivating. For instance, "I’ve noticed how much effort you’ve put into improving your communication skills, and it looks like it’s really paying off."
4. Affirm Their Unique Qualities
• Highlight what makes the person special or unique. This shows that you see and appreciate them for who they truly are. For example, "Your creativity always brings a fresh perspective to our team."
5. Be Timely
• Offer affirmation as soon as possible after noticing something worth praising. Timely affirmation has a stronger impact because the positive behavior or action is still fresh in the person’s mind.
6. Incorporate Affirmation into Everyday Interactions
• Make affirmation a regular part of your interactions with others. This could be through verbal praise, a thoughtful note, or a simple text message. Regular, small affirmations can build a strong foundation of trust and appreciation.
7. Listen and Observe
• Pay attention to the person’s actions, words, and achievements. The more observant you are, the more meaningful and relevant your affirmations will be. It shows that you care enough to notice the details.
8. Affirm Publicly and Privately
• Depending on the situation and the person’s comfort level, affirm them both privately and publicly. Public affirmation can boost someone’s confidence and reinforce positive behavior within a group, while private affirmation can be more personal and intimate.
9. Recognize Milestones and Achievements
• Celebrate and acknowledge important milestones and achievements in someone’s life or career. This could be a project completion, a personal goal, or a significant anniversary.
10. Express Gratitude
• Thank others for their contributions, efforts, or presence in your life. Simple expressions of gratitude, such as "Thank you for always being there when I need you," can be deeply affirming.

By affirming others thoughtfully and regularly, you can create stronger relationships, a positive environment, and contribute to the well-being and growth of those around you.