"My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me."
--Coach Jimmy Valvano--
Good Morning,
One of the greatest gifts you can give another is believing in them. It is an amazing thing to have someone instilling confidence in you simply by believing in your character and abilities.
Numerous studies have been conducted showing people tend to rise to the expectation of others. Students in whom teachers have confidence tend to get better grades; workers who have the trust of their employers tend to be better workers. Conversely, it has been shown that people also live down to the low expectations of others. There is actually a name for this phenomenon, called the Pygmalion effect.
The movie and Broadway play My Fair Lady was based upon this principle; where an illiterate flower girl becomes a gracious and dignified woman, because of the belief of another. Toward the end of the movie Eliza explains that Profession Higgins always treated her as a flower girl, but she learned to be a lady because Colonel Pickering treated her like a lady.
Jesus believed in others. Take Zacchaeus for example; the people saw a tax collector who took advantage of them; Jesus saw a potential trophy of grace. He was an outcast from society, yet Jesus invited himself to his house for lunch. Saul is another example; he was viewed by the people as a tyrant and a persecutor of the church. Yet, Jesus saw someone who would bring His Gospel throughout the world. Jesus was a "giver of belief."
Throughout Scripture, God calls us to believe in others. He gives us gifts and talents for the express purpose to build up those around us. He instructs us to pray for and encourage each other.
I look back with gratitude to the people who believed in me. Each of them, in their unique way, saw something in me; and communicated that belief through words and actions, especially in times when I did not believe in myself. When I failed or fell short; they continued to have faith in me. They instilled a holy self-confidence in my abilities and character.
I benefited greatly from such support; I wanted to be a better officer; a better leader and a better person. I began to work harder, study harder and care more for others. I became a better officer to a large degree because they treated me like a better officer. Perhaps this is what Paul had in mind when he wrote the following words to the Philippians.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interest of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus (2:4-5).
I invite each of you to find ways to believe in those you work alongside. Look around and "catch someone doing good" and find creative ways to acknowledge and thank them. I challenge you to believe and expect the best in those around you; in doing so, you will infuse them with confidence and purpose. And, the remarkable thing is that you will feel wonderful doing so.
Blessings,
d
