Most people, deep down inside, are stuck in a very low place due to guilt about the past, the present, or various mistakes. They are in a low place and it’s very, very hard for them to see the good in themselves. When someone comes and compliments them, with real compliments that are defined, precise, and correct, it can make a huge difference.
I’ll give you an example, using parents and children because it’s more practical, but it also applies to adults. A child may not be so talented. Let’s just say he’s not the most brilliant among ten children, God bless them. A father who knows this doesn’t even need to touch on the subject. The child has a weak point, so why scratch that wound? It’s a wound for him.
Instead, this father focuses on the child’s strengths. This child is very organized, very orderly, very precise, very planned. So the father tells him, “Wow, how sweet you are. How organized. How talented you are.” That’s a precise compliment, and it’s very true! What did he do for him? He uplifted him! “What a serious guy you are. You invest. Wow, what hard work. What diligence.” He gave him six, seven, eight compliments, each one a bombshell. They were all very precise, very true, and also demanding. The child says to himself, “Dad said I’m organized. What, can I leave things unfinished?” “Dad praised me for being diligent. What, am I going to slack off?” It thus is demanding, you see?
You empowered him. You uplifted him. You made him happy. And you started igniting many lights for him – a lot of light. Rather than telling a person how they’re not okay, how bad they are, how ugly they are – I don’t need you for that. When you ignite a light for them, you open up hope for them!
Often you’ll see a person who’s downcast, and you say an uplifting sentence in his ear, and he says, “What? Really?” You’ve lifted him up! That’s all it takes. You tell him another such sentence and it energizes him even more. And that’s it, it’s over. Now he’ll feel like he’s flying for three months, with turbo engines. His awakening, his dedication to God, will come with strength and holiness. Where does this all come from? From precise empowerment. This is real!
