ENCOURAGMENT
and AFFIRMATION
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.
RFKC Director
RFKC Mailbox Story
“Tree of Life OR Tree of Death”
STORY
Cultural Differences…
DEFINITIONS…
ENCOURAGE:
To give somebody hope,
confidence, or
courage
To urge somebody in a
helpful way to do or be
something
AFFIRMATION:
Something asserted a
ENCOURAGEMENT &
AFFIRMATION are…
Sincere
Generously
given (lavish)
Varied
Positive
 not joking or teasing
Supportive
ENCOURAGEMENT…
Affirms - brings life
Uplifts
Inspires
Gives hope
Brings freedom
Decreases defeat
Motivates
Provides emotional & psychological
healing
“Encouragement’s impact
can be profound. A word
of encouragement from a
teacher to a child can
change his life. A word of
encouragement from a
spouse can save a
marriage. A word of
encouragement from a
leader can inspire a
person to reach her
potential.”
ENCOURAGEMENT…
REFRHESHES the
spirit
REINFORCES
worth
RELEASES
confidence
RESTORES
joy
From The Gift of Encouragement by Gloria Chisholm
REVIVES the soul
ENCOURAGEMENT…
RELIEVES stress
REPELS negative
thinking
REDEEMS
emotional damage
RENEWS hope
From The Gift of Encouragement by Gloria Chisholm
“Years ago an
experiment was
conducted to measure
pain tolerance… how
long could a bare-footed
person stand in ice
water? When there was
someone offering
encouragement &
support, the person
standing in the ice water
could tolerate pain twice
as long as when no one
ENCOURAGEMENT…
WHEN?
Before-the-fact: “You can do it!”
After-the-fact: “Good job!”
After failure: “I’m so proud of you for…
(trying, not giving up, being brave, facing
challenges,…)”
WHAT?
Character
Behavior
Possibilities and Dreams
ENCOURAGEMENT…
HOW?
Words: spoken and/or written
Actions: Physical gestures &/or
Presence
Publicly as well as Personally
Gifts
Focus on positive (search for it if hard)
WHO?
Givers & Receivers = Everyone &
“Accentuate the Positive”
“You’ve got to accentuate the positive
Eliminate the negative
Latch on to the affirmative
Don't mess with Mister In-Between
You've got to spread joy up to the maximum
Bring gloom down to the minimum
Have faith or pandemonium’s liable to walk
upon the scene
To illustrate this last remark, Jonah in the
whale, Noah in the ark: What did they do just
when everything looked so dark?”
Johnny Mercer / Harold Arlen
ENCOURAGEMENT is…
Not flattery
Not manipulation
Not an opportunity to
impose our expectations
Not just a “thank you”
Not just for things that
benefit us
SCRIPTURE
Hebrews 10:24-25
“Let us consider how to ENCOURAGE
one another to love and good deeds.”
1 Thessalonians 2:12, 4:18, 5:11
“…encouraging, comforting and urging you
to live lives worthy of God… Encourage
each other… Encourage one another and
build each other up.”
Words of Affirmation
“Good for you! Super job! You did that
very well. You’ve got it made.
Terrific. That’s great! You’re doing
fine. Outstanding. You figured it out.
Perfect. Wow! Wonderful. You
make it look easy. That’s a great
idea. That’s much better. Nice going.
Excellent. Sensational. You’re doing
Words of Affirmation
“That’s awesome. That’s right. That’s
quite an improvement. Good
thinking. Nothing can stop you now.
You’ve just about got it. First class
work. Remarkable. Looks like a pro
did it. I’ve never seen anything like it.
You’ve made super progress. I didn’t
know you could do that. How have
you hid such talent?”
Words of Affirmation
“Fantastic. You outdid yourself. That’s
the right way to do it. Look at you.
You’re learning fast. Your brain’s in
high gear. You’re getting better every
time. You’ve got the hang of it.
Congratulations. Keep it up. You
remembered. Exactly right. I knew
you could do it. I’m very proud of
ENCOURAGERS…
• See the POTENTIAL
• See the POSITIVE
• See the
POSSIBILITIES
They see with God’s
APPLICATION
 Am I an ‘encouraging’ person, one who gives
encouragement easily and often?
 Do I give encouragement with ‘strings
attached’?
 What can I do to be better at affirming others?
How can I help others to be better at affirming
others?
 What can I do at RFKC to ensure an
atmosphere of affirmation?
 Make up a jingle about encouragement, OR
 Make a list of ideas/ways to encourage (be
ENCOURAGMENT
and AFFIRMATION
Becca C. Johnson, Ph.D.
RFKC Director