Through blessing, we communicate God’s heart about the inherent worth and value of every individual we bless. The absence of blessing in a person’s life leaves a void where love, acceptance, and emotional connection should reside.

According to John Trent and Gary Smalley in The Blessing: Giving the Gift of Unconditional Love and Acceptance., one of the elements of blessing is attaching high value.

What is Attaching High Value?

Attaching high value is a fundamental element of a blessing that communicates a deep sense of worth and significance to the recipient. It goes beyond acknowledging achievements or external accomplishments and focuses on affirming the inherent value of the individual. By recognizing and emphasizing their intrinsic worth, a blessing instills a sense of self-esteem and self-respect. It communicates that the person is cherished and loved unconditionally, irrespective of their successes or failures. Attaching high value in a blessing helps individuals develop a positive self-image and cultivates a strong sense of identity and self-worth.

When high value is attached in a blessing, it enables individuals to recognize their unique gifts, talents, and potential. Calling a person up into their high value encourages them to embrace their strengths and pursue their passions with confidence. By highlighting their inherent worth, a blessing empowers individuals to believe in themselves and their abilities. It fuels their motivation, helping them strive for excellence and reach their fullest potential. The element of attaching high value in a blessing acts as a catalyst for personal growth and development, nurturing a belief in one’s capacity to make a meaningful impact in the world.

Moreover, attaching high value in a blessing strengthens the bonds of love and acceptance in relationships. It communicates to the recipient that they are valued and treasured for who they are, fostering deeper emotional connections. When individuals feel valued, they are more likely to experience a sense of belonging and security within their relationships. The element of attaching high value in a blessing affirms that the person is seen, heard, and appreciated, creating an environment of support and unconditional love. It fosters healthier and more fulfilling relationships where individuals can thrive and flourish in the affirmation of their worth and potential.

In summary, attaching high value in a blessing conveys a deep sense of worth and significance to the recipient, fostering a positive self-image and empowering them to recognize their unique gifts and potential. It strengthens emotional connections and cultivates an environment of support and love. By emphasizing inherent worth, a blessing instills a belief in one’s abilities and fosters personal growth and development.

How Do I Know What A Person Is Worth?

In this life, value is determined by what someone is willing to pay for something. God decided our value by choosing the appropriate price to pay for our redemption. The price? Well, priceless. Jesus’ own perfect blood was spilt and life sacrificed because that is what God determined we are worth to Him. This means that no one can increase or decrease their value by anything they do or say or any choice they make in their lives. Our value was set by God Himself and that will never change. This is the value we are called to speak into others and call them up into.

How Can You Do this Through Word Pictures?

1. Use an Everyday Object: Start by selecting an everyday object that can serve as a metaphor or symbol for the trait or quality you want to praise. For example, if you want to highlight someone’s resilience, you could choose a sturdy oak tree as your everyday object. Jacob did this in picking a different word picture in the blessing of each of his sons.
2. Match Emotional Meaning with the Object: Consider the emotional meaning associated with the trait or quality you are praising and find ways to connect it with the chosen object. In the case of resilience, you could emphasize the tree’s ability to withstand storms, bend without breaking, and continue growing even in challenging conditions. This connection between the emotional meaning and the object strengthens the impact of the word picture.
3. Unravel Defenses with Word Pictures: Word pictures can be used to bypass defenses and resistance by offering a fresh perspective or new insight. For example, if someone tends to be guarded or skeptical, you could use a word picture that gently unravels their defenses. Instead of directly praising their vulnerability, you might describe it as a delicate butterfly emerging from a cocoon, symbolizing the beauty and strength that comes from embracing their authentic self.
4. Point out Potential with Word Pictures: Word pictures can be utilized to highlight a person’s potential by painting a vivid picture of what they can become or achieve. If you want to emphasize someone’s leadership potential, you could compare them to a lighthouse, guiding and inspiring others through their vision and wisdom. This word picture points to their inherent ability to make a significant impact and encourages them to step into their leadership role.

In summary, to attach high value through word pictures, choose an everyday object that represents the desired trait, connect the emotional meaning of that trait with the object, use word pictures to gently unravel defenses, and paint a picture of the person’s potential. By employing these techniques, word pictures become a powerful tool to convey praise, highlight qualities, and inspire individuals to recognize and embrace their unique worth and potential.

What Happens if Someone Doesn’t Receive the Blessing of Being Highly Valued?

It is important for us not to ignore this need in our children, spouses, and close friends, as denying them high value, we are denying them an important part of the blessing. The absence of attaching high value as a part of a blessing can have negative consequences on an individual’s self-esteem, self-worth, and overall well-being. When value is not attached, individuals may struggle with a diminished sense of worthiness and a negative self-perception. The absence of recognition and affirmation of their inherent value can lead to feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, and a distorted self-image. Without high value being attached in a blessing, individuals may find it challenging to develop a healthy sense of identity and may seek external validation to fill the void. This can lead to a constant need for approval, a fear of failure, and difficulties in setting healthy boundaries. Additionally, the absence of high value being attached as a part of a blessing may hinder personal growth, as individuals may lack the confidence and belief in themselves to pursue their passions and reach their full potential. The negative consequences can extend to relationships as well, as the lack of value attached in a blessing may result in strained connections, emotional distance, and a diminished sense of belonging.

Jesus Demonstrated Attaching High Value

Jesus generated attaching high value through his words and actions, demonstrating the intrinsic worth and value of each individual he encountered. Here are a few ways Jesus exemplified attaching high value:

1. Unconditional Love and Acceptance: Jesus demonstrated unwavering love and acceptance towards people from all walks of life, irrespective of their social status, background, or past mistakes. He embraced the marginalized, the outcasts, and those deemed unworthy by society, showing them that they had inherent value and were deserving of love. Jesus’ interactions with individuals like the Samaritan woman at the well and Zacchaeus the tax collector exemplify his ability to see beyond societal labels and attach high value to every person.
2. Compassionate Healing: Jesus performed numerous miracles of physical and emotional healing, restoring individuals to wholeness. Through these acts of compassion, he communicated the high value he placed on their well-being. Jesus not only cared for people’s physical ailments but also addressed their emotional and spiritual needs, emphasizing their worthiness of a life free from suffering. By valuing their restoration and offering healing, Jesus demonstrated that each person was deserving of care and wholeness.
3. Redefining Social Hierarchies: Jesus challenged societal norms and hierarchical structures that devalued certain individuals or groups. He often prioritized the marginalized, showing that they were significant in God’s eyes. Jesus’ interactions with children, women, and those considered “sinners” illustrated his commitment to overturning social conventions that devalued their worth. By doing so, he taught his followers to recognize the inherent value in every human being, irrespective of external markers of status or worth.
4. Sacrificial Love: Jesus displayed the ultimate act of attaching high value through his sacrificial love on the cross. He willingly gave his life to reconcile humanity with God, demonstrating the immeasurable worth he placed on each person’s redemption and eternal well-being. Jesus’ sacrifice spoke volumes about the value he attributed to every individual’s salvation, underscoring their significance and worth in God’s plan.

By embodying unconditional love, demonstrating compassionate healing, challenging social hierarchies, and ultimately sacrificing himself, Jesus generated attaching high value. He consistently affirmed the worthiness and intrinsic value of each person, inviting them into a deeper understanding of their significance in the eyes of God.

Redeemed Blessing

If you haven’t yet extended the gift of the blessing of attaching high value to your own children- as long as you both are alive, there is still opportunity. Take a step toward it today. If someone you love hasn’t received it, prayerful extension of blessing through you could be a healing gift. Ask the Lord His heart over the person and communicate what He leads you to. It can be life-changing.

If you feel you missed out on the blessing, you could honestly and lovingly share how you feel with those in your life who could extend it (See p195-197 of The Blessing for a respectful, prayerful example of how this could be done but know this is not fitting in all circumstances and honesty without love can push people further away). You can also seek to understand as much as possible about your parents’ backgrounds. Often they are hurting for the blessing, too.

Ultimate Redemption of The Blessing

Ultimately, all earthy blessing is a shadow of the ultimate, eternal blessing God extends to us every breath we take. The longing we have can only fully be met in the One who will never forsake us (Hebrews 13:5-6), let us down, or run out of energy to listen to us and pursue us with His love and delight in us (Zephaniah 3:17).

He offers the secure connection, stable relationship, unconditional love, unfailing kindness, and permanent presence that even the best, most well-meaning parent will fall short of.

The Lord binds up our wounds, carries our pain, and heals us from the inside out Isaiah 61:1-3). He never grows weary or frustrated with us. He is always inviting us into more of Himself. As we know Him better, He restores the blessing. His blessing is perfect for us. He alone can invite and lift us up into all that we are as we rest in all that He is.

You Might Also Enjoy:

• The Blessing
• The Blessing: Meaningful and Appropriate Physical Touch
• The Blessing: A Spoken Message
• Inner Healing- Genuine, Lasting Relationship

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