Week 40 Day 2
On the Art of Persuasion
He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
Revelation 21:3
Oh glorious hour! Oh bless’d abode!
I shall be near and like my God;
And flesh and sin no more control
The sacred pleasures of the soul.
What’s the best way to convince someone else to do something? Is it through fear, intimidation, and manipulation? Abraham Lincoln was a master at getting people to do what he wanted them to do. But he didn’t use exploitive techniques to get his way. He used kindness and gentle persuasion. “When the conduct of men is designed to be influenced, persuasion, kind, unassuming persuasion, should ever be adopted.” Instead of using the power of the presidency, Lincoln was known to sit down with his opponents and engage them in long conversation. He would ask questions and with gentleness confront them with the truth. The result was usually to his benefit. He was able to persuade and influence without demeaning. The next time you need to get someone on your side, use the gentle art of persuasion, not fear or intimidation. You’ll be surprised at the results.