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“[I]do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:”
Ephesians 1:16 (NKJV)
It’s not complicated to work well with others. You just must learn to appreciate them!
How do you appreciate others? It’s easy. First, you recognize someone’s value and contribution to you and others. Then, you habitually tell them, “Thank you.”
Nehemiah recognizes four practical ways to demonstrate appreciation for others:
Recognize each person by name. When you express appreciation to the people in your life who are adding value to you and others, don’t just say, “You are doing a great job. Thanks!” Get specific, as Nehemiah did by singling out at least 71 people for unique appreciation and calling each one by name.
Recognize specific work that is done. People experience genuine appreciation when you identify the particulars of their work. Just telling them, they did a good job isn’t enough. It’s better to say, “I’m blessed by you doing this specific thing.”
Nehemiah recognized the detailed work done by the people. He said, “Moreover Jehoiada the son of Paseah and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah repaired the Old Gate; they laid its beams and hung its doors, with its bolts and bars.” (Nehemiah 3:6 NKJV). The Bible reveals that details do matter!
Recognize great attitude. It’s not difficult to observe great attitudes in a world filled with nasty attitudes. In Nehemiah 3:20, Nehemiah identified one man for his great perspective: “Baruch…carefully repaired the other section, from the buttress to the door of the house…” (NKJV).
When you call attention to the heart and eagerness of others, it replenishes their energy and stimulates new energy in others. This way, you could end up having more people assisting you with the vision God gives you.
Recognize extra effort. Meremoth was mentioned twice in Nehemiah for doing more than was expected of him. He began by repairing the fish gate. Next, he “repaired another section” (Nehemiah 3:21 NKJV). Nehemiah recognized Meremoth’s extra work and wanted others to notice too.
Many people have done more than expected to serve others and do their jobs well. I enjoy pointing out their contributions and telling them how much they are appreciated. Sometimes it’s just a conversation. Other times it can be a card or a note. But it has become a habit of noticing the efforts and attitudes of others, recognizing their perseverance, and encouraging them not to give up.
It takes work to live with an attitude of gratitude and a spirit of appreciation. You can begin doing this today!
Action Steps
- How does my attitude toward work influence the people around me?
- Why do I think people do not take time and effort to recognize others’ good work?
Identify those who go the extra mile in my life. Maybe it’s someone in my family, at church, or at work. I will make plans to personally express my appreciation to them this week for being an “extra mile” person.
