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 ratio of 10 to 1. Sometimes it is next to impossible to find a positive behavior to enforce, but as the positive reinforcement or encouragement goes up, so does the motivation to continue the positive action. I don’t know about you, but I’ve made a career out of making the opposite happen. I have tended to reinforce the negative or punisher more often than I have enforced the encouragement.
To build up the kingdom of God, encourage. Our children, our brothers, and sisters in the faith; all who 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 out help and advice, who is it that you think I turn to?
Real men encourage others, and live out the 10 to 1.
