Say What You Need to Say

Have you ever heard of the book "The 5 Love Languages"?  Gary Chapman, after counseling many people developed this idea that we have 5 ways that we feel loved. They are:

1. Physical touch
2. Gifts
3. Quality time
4. Acts of Service
5. Words of affirmation

Normally, you tend to "DO" the one that is your strongest towards others. If you love to get gifts and it makes you feel loved, you probably buy people gifts. It's your way of showing them you love them. However, if that's not their gift, they aren't hearing you.

The thing is... everyone needs words of affirmation from time to time. Our words are very powerful.

My Pastor reminded me of that yesterday. People are valuable simply because they are people. We need to stop putting people in different ranks in life. The homeless person is just as valuable to God as the CEO of a multi-billion dollar company.

The three things we can do for people are this:

1. Words to God about you: pray for people. You bringing someone's name before the Lord is powerful. Don't just say, "I'll pray for you" and walk away or scroll to the next update on Facebook. Actually stop and pray. I started typing my prayers out on Facebook. If people don't like it, they can delete it. But if they ask for prayer, that's usually what I do. Start some prayer cards. Get a $1.00 pack of index cards, write people's names and their needs next to it, then read over them every morning. Your prayers are powerful. (Speaking of prayer, please be praying for Seattle Seahawk's player Ricardo Lockette. He was injured in a game yesterday. He's my friend's nephew. Thank you.)

2. Words to you about you: Speak to people in love and with compassion. Jesus was authentic, loving and compassionate.

3. Words that lead to action: Helping people see their value makes a huge difference. For example, you can also help them see what they can be. If things are bad right now, tell them that they won't be bad forever. Help them with an action plan to get through what they are dealing with.

The biggest key to all of this is connecting people to Christ's love. God loves us like no human being ever could. The problem is, we don't grasp that reality. We place our hope in humans who can't possibly love us like He does. We put expectations on our spouses to fill the pieces of our hearts that only God and fill.

Show people God's love. Help them come to know Him as their Lord and Savior with your words. You'll be glad you did.

God bless you today and always.