Compliments or Criticisms?

The first day of March is apparently recognized as "World Compliment Day," which began in the early 2000s. I doubt many people in America have ever heard of it, but most know about the first day of April, called April Fools' Day. This day is often observed by pulling either a simple or an elaborate prank on someone and then saying, "April Fools!" It is interesting to see how far someone will go out of their way to get a laugh at the expense of another. I wonder what it would look like if the same efforts were used to simply encourage others. World Compliment Day was started to remind people to cheer others up, make them smile, and brighten their day a little more. All of us would do well to learn from this.

The apostle Paul once wrote to believers in Ephesus, "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." (Ephesians 4:29, ESV) Can you recall a time in your life when you were depressed and discouraged, yet at the right moment, God used someone to strengthen your heart and set your mind back on His goodness? There is too much cynicism, slander, and deception in this world. As Christians, we should not be adding to the vitriol of society; instead, our speech should be pouring forth words of kindness, meekness, and truth.

To the church in Colossae, Paul wrote, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." (Colossians 3:16) Perhaps the reason our daily conversations are not edifying and encouraging is because we are not enriched in the Word of God. If we allow the Scriptures to abide in our hearts, our talk will be full of hope and healing to a hurting world.