Appreciation Is a Habit You Practice By Rick Warren
“I never stop giving thanks for you as I mention you in my prayers.”Ephesians 1:16 (ISV)
There is no complicated secret to working well with others. You just have to learn to appreciate them!
How do you appreciate other people? It’s simple. First, you practice recognizing someone’s value and contribution. Then, you make a habit of telling them, “Thank you.”
Nehemiah demonstrates four practical ways to show appreciation for others:
Recognize individuals by name. When you thank the people in your life who are making a difference, don’t just say, “You all are doing a great job. Thanks!” Get specific, like Nehemiah did. He singled out 71 people for special appreciation and called each one by name.
Recognize specific work. People feel appreciated when you point out the details of their work. Simply telling them they did a good job isn’t enough. It’s better to say, “I’m proud of you for doing this specific thing.”
Nehemiah recognized the detailed work of the people. He said, “The Old City Gate was repaired by Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah. They laid the beams, set up its doors, and installed its bolts and bars” (Nehemiah 3:6 NLT). The Bible shows that details matter!
Recognize great attitudes. Great attitudes stand out in a world filled with bad attitudes. In Nehemiah 3:20, Nehemiah singles out one man for his great attitude: “Baruch . . . zealously repaired an additional section” (NLT).
When you call attention to people’s passion and enthusiasm, it renews their energy and energizes others. You’ll end up having more people helping you pursue the vision God gives you.
Recognize extra effort. A man named Meremoth was mentioned twice in Nehemiah for going above and beyond. First, he repaired the Fish Gate. Then, he “repaired another section” (Nehemiah 3:21 ISV).Nehemiah recognized Meremoth’s extra work and wanted others to notice too.
Many people in my life have gone above and beyond to serve others and do their jobs well. And it’s given me great joy to point out their contributions and tell them how much they are appreciated. Sometimes it’s a conversation. Other times it’s a card or a note. But it’s become a habit to notice the efforts and attitudes of others, recognize their perseverance, and encourage them to keep going.
It takes practice to live with an attitude of gratitude and a spirit of appreciation. You can start practicing today!
Rick Warren is an innovative pastor, renowned author, and global influencer known for founding Saddleback Church, the Purpose Driven Network, the PEACE Plan, and Hope for Mental Health. He has written several best-selling books, including The Purpose Driven Life, which has sold over 35 million copies in 200 languages. Time magazine named Warren the most influential spiritual leader in America and one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Since stepping down from the lead pastor role at Saddleback in 2022, Warren has continued to inspire people through his Daily Hope Devotional and podcast Pastor Rick’s Daily Hope. His first book in a decade, Created to Dream, was released in April 2023.
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
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