Two-minute read.
“If they’re worth bragging about, someone else will do it.” Mom’s words still bring me a smile as I recall the look on her face and body language that accompanied them.. Talking about someone who constantly self-promoted her kids, it drove my mother crazy. Mainly because the praise garnered had no basis, the co-dependent relationship and enabling only harmed her children, instead of helping them grow into adults.
At the time, I had never really thought about who should give praise to another. Since I’ve become a writer, I have a new appreciation for today’s verse. Not a fan of self-promotion, I find it difficult to talk about my books and work, which creates a dilemma: if I don’t advertise what I do, how will people know about it?
Wrestling through the topic with a spiritual mentor, she gave me wise advice. Jesus does for us what we can’t do for ourselves. As I prayed over her words, I gained clarity on what I should do for my promotion and what I should leave up to Jesus. When I leave things in God’s hands, it always works better.
Let others praise you, allowing Jesus to do for you what we can’t do for ourselves. Serve the Lord wholeheartedly, what you know to do, not for recognition, but for the Savior. Allow other people to express their appreciation, and ask God to keep you humble and hungry for more of Him.
The only applause we need comes from nail scarred hands. Jesus loves us so much that He died for us. What more praise do we want? In Christ, we have all we need to serve God by loving Him and others.
Journal Question:
When has someone’s self-praise aggravated you?
How have others praised you?
In what ways can you give someone else praise today?
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for teaching us about praise. Please help us let others do the praising, not doing it ourselves. And give us opportunities to praise others and spur them on the journey of life.
IJNIP. Amen
