Real Soul Food
By James Robison
Week of October 31, 2004
“The tongue has the power of life and death.” (Proverbs 18:21)
Betty and I were honored recently to have Peter Lord as our guest on Life Today. Peter is a nationally known speaker, a former pastor and a personal friend that has greatly impacted my life and ministry.
Peter opened the program with a thought-provoking question. “What is more powerful, in the long run, love or hate?” Before anyone could respond, he made a profound statement, “Nineteen people filled with hate and trained in hate have changed the way the world lives. So one of the goals I have for the rest of my life is to become a terrorist, using love to blow people together.”
Peter is right. Love is the most powerful force in the world but you have to make it your goal and train yourself in how to communicate it. I made a strong argument for the power of love in my book, The Absolutes: Freedom’s Only Hope. An entire chapter explains how “Love Conquers All.”
The convictions I express in that chapter compel our ministry to bless people in many tangible, life-sustaining ways, but I am also passionate about communicating blessing and encouragement verbally. Peter calls it “real soul food," and in his book, Bless and Be Blessed, he instructs us to take every opportunity and use creative ways to “serve love” to people.
Betty mentioned to Peter that before a person can speak blessings on others, they must realize how blessed they are.
Peter agreed, “We live in such a negative world. Most people don’t realize how blessed they are. Our lives are trained to focus on the negative. When we were in school, our papers were marked to indicate what we got wrong. Instead of praising what we accomplished, our parents may have focused on what we were not doing. If we don’t point out the positive about people, the negative will be assumed.”
Early in our marriage, Betty and I learned the importance of speaking encouragement, and we taught our children to acknowledge the good qualities they see in each other. Our family meetings became an emotionally uplifting time when each one expressed blessing and appreciation to each other.
Peter showed how this practice carries over into the workplace. A study was done among the employees of a large industry, and the greatest complaint was that their bosses never say, “Thank You” for a job well done. Even more than money, employees expressed a desire for appreciation and affirmation.
I like to call people or speak to them face to face, but Peter encourages others with hand-written notes. He had special cards printed that said, “There are many things I appreciate about you but this is one.” Inside the card, he describes a specific way the recipient blesses him. Those notes are treasured and kept for years.
It is sad that we often end up blessing and eulogizing all the good qualities we see in people at their funeral. In the Bible, the word “bless” is the word eulogy. God wants to open our eyes and ears to alert us to every opportunity to “eulogize” people while they are alive. Peter believes that when blessings are given under the inspiration and instruction of the Holy Spirit, the divine power of God is exercised. (Numbers 6:27)
The church must learn to demonstrate love in a practical and down-to-earth way. We must get back to doing the simple things, like giving a meal to one who is hungry, or a house to one without shelter, or a good word to one who is discouraged.
Jesus set the example for us. He chose a bunch of raw recruits for disciples and told them they were the “salt of the earth and the light of the world.” (Matt. 5:13-14) These men changed the world when they became what Jesus said they were.
We will always find qualities and actions to praise when we focus on the good things in others and let God give us insight about their potential. Often we are a divinely appointed delivery person, giving words of blessing that God wants someone to hear. It may be the turning point of their entire life.
This Week
Begin to develop a lifestyle of “eulogizing” others. Each day ask God to point out a person that you can bless. Then be obedient and bless them.
Prayer
“Lord, open my eyes to see the good instead of the bad, the right instead of the wrong, in people around me. Help me take the time to offer words from your heart that will bless and encourage my family, friends, coworkers and even strangers that you put in my path.”
