Title: As a Parole Officer
Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” – Hebrews 3:13a
10 to 1. As a parole officer, I’ve been told to cement positive behavior in the lives of men who have made a career of evil; I need to praise them at a 10-to-1 ratio. Sometimes finding a positive behavior to reinforce is next to impossible, but as positive reinforcement or encouragement increases, so does the motivation to continue the positive action. I don’t know about you, but I’ve made a career by making the opposite happen. I have tended to reinforce the negative or punish more often than to encourage.
To build up the kingdom of God, encourage. Our children, our brothers and sisters in the faith, and all we meet must be encouraged. I’ve had the privilege of having a multitude of encouragers in my life. I will tell you that their voice has resonated louder in my life than those who’ve tried to change me through guilt and shame. And when I seek help and advice, to whom do you think I turn?
