Hello
How are you today? In great spirits I pray. Remember that God’s got us no matter how we are feeling. Here’s today’s Holy Nougat
“Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but a person is tested by being praised.” Proverbs 27:21 NLT
So why would praise be considered a test of our spiritual purity? Should it not be tribulation? After all, it proved the Israelites in the 40 years of wilderness wanderings. But praise seems so innocuous. And it is. Until we begin to respond to the praise.
Some of us are praise addiicts. We live primarily for praises, sometimes even shifting our priorities and values simply to receive more adulation. Usually this doesn’t extend to prioritizing for God’s praise.
Others of us try to deflect the praise at all costs. That is, we downplay compliments and in the process deny the person’s right to affirm us. I sometimes wonder whether this stems from low self esteem or a desire to avoid being ‘beholden in any way.
Then there are the ‘Users’ – those of us who would milk a compliment even beyond its momentary value, perhaps causing regret in the heart of the one who praised us.
And of course, there are those of us who take praises in stride; accepting it for what it’s worth, thanking the source and moving on.
There are perhaps more responses to praise; but these are the most common in my experience. And, we don’t necessarily maintain one approach all our lives. Knowing our default response however, may prove helpful in ensuring that we remain focused.
For ultimately, we seek to praise God and be praised by God. It is God who gifts us with talents, skills, abilities for the benefit of ourselves and the wider community. Colossians 3:17 reminds us that our actions ought to point others to God. Human praises affords us the chance to assess whether we are doing this (unless it isn’t genuine).
So as we give and receive compliments/praise to others, may our lives reflect the One who equips us.
God bless you and have an empowering day!
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
