I love you but you need to to buy me more gifts so that I appreciate what you have done
I know you go all out for me but you can do better
You have surprised me so much! Now do more.
There are times we become the ones adding more expectations and standards and burdens on people who have gone all out for us. We forget to stop and appreciate how much they have put in for us.
A parent could be yearning to hear the child say thank you
A friend desires to hear that they are appreciated
A spouse longing to be loved apart from material things
A child longs for the parents to say they are proud
People have gotten weary giving and all they hear or get in return is a demand for more. Be encouraged and act as unto God.
These scenarios remind me of a message Christ gave to the church of Thyatira in revelations, those that kept themselves from the sin of Idol worship. Christ told them He would not burden them with more tasks but that they should continue doing what they have been doing.
Jesus acknowledged that the people in this church had grown in their faith. He therefore asked them to continue with what they were doing.
Revelation 2:24-25
24 Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets, ‘I will not impose any other burden on you, 25 except to hold on to what you have until I come.’
We can learn from Christ how to encourage others:
- Appreciate they have grown from one step to another
- Encourage them to keep at what they are doing
- Stop burdening people but help them carry the loads they have
- Show the same kindness you expect from others
