Practicing Affirmation, by Sam Crabtree

I've saved writing this review until just the last minute. When I saw Practicing Affirmation: God-Centered Praise of Those Who Are Not God pop up on Crossway Books new release list, I knew I should read it. (Note: I did not say that I was overjoyed to read it. I said I knew I should.) You know. Those books that convict you just by reading the title alone? Yup. This is one for me! I'll be honest and tell you that I still do NOT want to talk about it because it is a very personally convicting read.

See, I'm not a words of affirmation person. I don't need to be praised 24/7 to keep going. Yes, a kind word sprinkled here and there can definitely put a smile on my face but it doesn't necessarily fill my love tank and motivate me to 'keep on keeping on' as it were. (Perhaps I mis-characterize those who are words of affirmation people. Such as my husband? Oh and have I mentioned that God saw fit to give me two sons who seem to genuinely thrive on being affirmed?! I'm constantly challenged on this subject!)

I was sitting in a chair reading this book and Jonathan walked through the room.

Me: "You should feel affirmed because I'm reading this book in the first place."
Jonathan: "Oh, just the sight of you sitting there holding the book is very affirming."

(Which is probably not true but it made me feel like continuing on with the read.)

I've book marked a lot of quotes and passages that I don't want to tell you about because it would expose my inefficiencies. Yes, I'm lame that way. Can't I get away with just saying, "Read this book! It'll be good for you!"? Will that do? (Maybe if I write such a long introduction I'll have less time to share the specifics of it with you? Hmmm....look at me stall!!!)

Now, when I first opened this book I was afraid it was going to be all, "Carrie, you need to be affirming! You need to say complimentary things to everyone about everything no matter what!" (I typically roll my eyes when thinking that someone needs to be praised for say, doing their duty in any form or fashion. I like the idea of duty and responsibility and you just "do what you gotta do." When I see someone acting responsibly, I generally feel fantastic things towards them and when I see laziness I just lose interest completely.) That's not what Crabtree is arguing for at all. He isn't saying, "compliment" for anything at all. What he is saying is that we should affirm the attributes of God that we see reflected in the lives of others.

For example: say you see your son cleaning his room without being told, putting things in order.

Crabtree would say to affirm that behavior in the son, but not just by saying, "Hey, good job." (And then thinking to yourself, "Whew! I didn't have to nag!") Instead he says to say to the son, "Son, I just wanted to let you know that I noticed you are cleaning your room and putting things in order without being told. I love that you are showing obedience and respect for others in the family without being specifically requested to do so. Furthermore, it pleases God to see you putting things in order, for He is a God of order."

Ok, that might sound weird at first but can you see how it affirms the godly character without showering the individual with praise that puffs one up with pride? It doesn't put the receiver of the praise in a position to have to think of a way to deflect your praise but it does position them to understand what character qualities are good to develop to make them more Christ-like in all that they say and do.

"We affirm Christlike character in the prayerful hope there will be more of it, deepened and strengthened." (page 101)

This is affirmation I can "buy" into.

What I dislike (and yes, roll my eyes at) is when you see a bunch of people get together and compliment each other's looks. "You're hair is so beautiful!" "I love that skirt you are wearing!" "You look hot!" "You are amazing!" None of these things point out godly character qualities. They are surface level compliments and I have never known what to make of them because they feel so very false to me, personally. But I DO like it when I hear things like, "There's just something about you today....when I look at you I can see the enthusiasm for life that God has placed within you." Or perhaps, "God created you so beautifully!" (Not that He didn't create each one of us beautifully, but you catch my drift, I hope.) There is a right way and a wrong way to bestow an affirmation - to say something of meaning and worth that will have a positive impact in that it will push the person closer to Christ instead of closer to their own foolish pride. And that is the point of this book.

I think Practicing Affirmation is a good admonishment in a society full of Facebook compliments. (And if you're at all familiar with Facebook, you know what I'm talking about.) Defined by me: empty, hollow words with little to no meaning scattered about liberally, giving soft pats on our backs instead of good solid food for our soul's health.

In this book, author Sam Crabtree first points out that it is Biblically required that we affirm one another. Affirmation is not a bad thing and should not be avoided. Rather, it should be genuinely practiced. (Hence the title.) He is anti-hollow praise and pro-spirit driven praise.

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies - in order that everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To Him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:10-11)

. . .

God is not given the praise He deserves when we ignore or deny the work He is doing in people. (page 21)

I know and you know people who toss about compliments like they are going out of style. This always serves to drive me crazy because when the compliment is directed at me it feels hollow and I'm left with the numb feeling of believing that the person never truly cared to say a nice word to me at all. I find myself thinking that they just wanted to somehow make themselves feel good by spouting off a bunch of hoo-ha about me that isn't necessarily true. There is a false feeling about them.

"A lying tongue hates its victim, and a flattering mouth works ruin." (Prov. 26:28)

"A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet." (Prov. 29:5)

Thoughtless compliments like, "You are so awesome" do absolutely nothing for me. Or, "I really like you." (To which I then think in my head, "Yeah, you like me now but what about in 15 minutes when I do something to annoy you? What then?) I have always responded better to things like, "I really admire you for _______" because that feels like something that has substance and merit. As a result, knowing how they make me feel personally, I tend to hold back compliments/affirmation myself. When I do say that someone or something is remarkable, I want it to hold some weight. My problem is that I hold back the affirmations to the point of practically starving those around me. I should be more free in my affirmations. There are genuinely things I could affirm but choose not to for the fear of sounding false. That's no excuse.

I did appreciate the emphasis that Crabtree places on making sure your affirmations are honest and not just a desire to please yourself by making other people around you like you for always saying something positive. And I suppose I have to appreciate the kick in the pants I received to make sure the affirmations I could bestow actually pass through my lips instead of staying locked up in my head. They really don't serve much purpose in my head but could be of some benefit, voiced.

"True affirmations are more likely to come out of a truly affirming heart, which is another reason why it's so important to be going hard after God, working out our salvation with fear and trembling, pursuing holiness, and asking God to transform us from the inside out. Gordon Cheng put it well: "People who genuinely encourage other people are not putting it on. It comes out of who they are - or better, who God has made them." (page 68).

This is getting long and I should wrap this up. And look! I haven't even gotten to the truly convicting parts for myself just yet! (I did hit on a few. Just not all.)

I think, for myself, I have to live with this book. Sam Crabtree presents an accurate truth that affirmations are necessary for building, keeping and maintaining relationships. I have been far too stingy in doling them out at times, even when I see things that are worth affirming. I have much to work on. My goal in working on them though is to always speak honestly (and fairly) with the ultimate motivation of building up someone's faith to point them towards the cross. That is the ultimate goal of any true, honest, or positive affirmation.

Practicing Affirmation is flat out awesome. I will be pulling it out for frequent re-reads over the course of my lifetime because this is something that I do indeed struggle with. Whether you are rich with your compliments or are hoarding your affirmations, I think this book is worthy of time and attention.

I am pleased to say that Crossway Books has offered up a copy to one of my readers here at Reading to Know. Would you like to win a copy? (Pssh. Of course you would!) Please leave a comment below. This contest is open to U.S. Residents only and is open through Tuesday, March 22nd. (Please leave me a valid e-mail address so that I can contact you if you are the winner.)

Dare to be convicted. Dare to change.


THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. THE WINNER (as selected by random.org) IS #13 - Janine. CONGRATS!


Thanks, Crossway, for sending a copy of this my way. (Jonathan and my two sons say thanks as well!)