But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
New Years’ Resolution #4: I will do more pulling and less pushing!
You care deeply about your children and want them to be more Christlike in the way they relate to each other. You want your spouse to be more loving or to help more or to listen better. You want your co-workers to shape up. You want your small group to actually do the study before the group meets.
The natural thing for us in each of these cases is usually to push, rather than to pull. We try to pressure people into acting the way they should. Our motives are right, but our methods are wrong.
Your children are far more likely to develop a love for Jesus and a desire to love those around them if they are drawn to that lifestyle, rather than forced to it. Your spouse will be much more likely to alter their behavior through stirring up their love than by being berated. Those around you are more likely to try harder if you offer praise and encouragement whenever possible rather than guilt.
Everyone in your life (including you) will be much happier if you learn to pull, rather than push!
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