A Stamp of Approval for My Quotes of Encouragement

While digging through My Quotes of Encouragement, I came across this little gem: If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well. My question is in whose opinion? Who says it’s well done?

Whether we want to admit it or not, the first person from whom we need a stamp of approval is ourselves. We have to determine that what we do is significant enough to do right. We have to be satisfied with the job we’re doing. If we feel that our project matters little or our input at the worksite accomplishes zilch, we spiral downward and soon contribute nothing worthwhile. And in doing so, we lose our self-respect.

To avoid losing our self-worth, we must learn to encourage ourselves. While it has been said that self-praise stinks, it is a necessary component to our well being. Yes, expressing our pride in our work has its limits. How obnoxious are people who are so full of themselves that all they can talk about is their own accomplishments. Nevertheless, we have to develop our self-praise to the point of believing in ourselves. No amount of encouragement from outside sources can motivate us as much as the faith we place in ourselves to get the job done regardless of the people who oppose and the odds that are stacked against us.

This doesn’t mean that we don’t need supporters. Other people in our corner rooting for us, the second stamp of approval, add wind to our sails and propel us to our goals. One of the best motivators is a firm pat on the back accompanied by a stern, “You can do it,” from a close friend or relative. Quotes of encouragement, personal notes, phone calls, and hugs all boost our confidence up a notch or two. So don’t underestimate the importance of receiving and giving encouragement.

Recently, I read an article that stated no encouragement might be translated as disapproval. Perhaps we don’t intend to discourage our friends, but we never tell them they’re doing a good job either. Did you ever think that your best friend might be discouraged because of your negligence in expressing your support? It stems back to self-approval. And while we shouldn’t misconstrue our friends’ lack of praise as disapproval, we often do at least subconsciously. It’s important that we learn to encourage others openly. The golden rule comes to mind, “Do unto to others as you would have them do unto you.”

Although our self-worth flourishes when watered with praise from others, we do well in guarding against expectation of it. Let’s face it, our friends and families don’t always come through with the words and actions that promote encouragement. That’s why we do better to cultivate our self-praise, to know that with or without external support our project, our lives are worthwhile, and therefore, worth doing well.

The third and most important stamp of approval we must seek is God’s. Even when no one else agrees with our line of action, even when we question it ourselves, God knows the path He has set before us. It is one intended to lead us to Him. There is no coincidence, no surprise, no accident to God. Wherever you are, He has arranged it to help you focus on Him.

If you are a Christian, be assured that you have His stamp of approval at the very moment you lose heart and think that you’re on a dead-end street. He is all the support you need—press forward in confidence.

If you are not a Christian, He has placed before you good and bad to lift your eyes toward heaven, to show you His mercy and grace. He’s waiting patiently to place His stamp of approval on you.

While quotes of encouragement send messages of wellbeing to our soul, nothing renders inner peace like receiving God’s stamp of approval.

Brenda K. Hendricks