Can we untangle the sin in "pride" from the satisfaction of being affirmed for the results of gifts given us by God. We're admonished by the apostles to build one another up, encourage one another daily, look out for the interests of others. God gives out gifts of teaching, serving, leading, etc, for the good of all. Why not lean in and say "Thank you for your affirmation to me of a job well done" I enjoy and appreciate God's goodness in me working for the good of all.(??)
This me in a nutshell. I’m also a musician--nothing is ever good enough. I was just in this thought process last week. And sure enough I was tested by my Pastor. He said, “the line you improvised was just beautiful, it complimented Lydia (Violin) just perfectly. It was beautiful.” Oh that sended a chill up my spine--was I again going to spurn what Chris said, or--say Thank you, appreciated. I’m realizing that God is using me to inspire many in our Church service. It’s been a tultimus year, Cancer, losing the use my left arm (significantly weaker after surgery). And recovery has been slow. In fact my doctor told me I’d never play again. What? The very thing I was created to do? Well there is good news, I obviously did not quit pushing my craft forward, but, my Flugelhorn inspires others. I’m grateful to God for giving me this privilege. And for now on I say, TY very much. For I know it is God working through me.
I love this Richard. There is a powerful resilience that is birthed with accepting gifts from our God gratefully. Thank you for your humility, vulnerability, and demonstrating with healthy/holy pride can look like. Praying for you right now by name.
Pride goes before the fall. What if we never did anything that we could take pride in? If we do not attempt life with an attitude of something we could be proud of, why do it? I remember doing some dumb things and my father would say; "Are you proud of that?" The same phrase was used not only when done with something dumb but maybe a project that I did not do to the best of my ability, settling for only having finished. The problem becomes doing it only for acclimation of others not for the acclimation of a Father in Heaven who one day will say; "Well done good and faithful servant." Do it with pride, do it for the Father! Pride, the new discipline.
I also have concerns with compliments. I'm not that important to being praised. I will usually respond with, "I'm just doing my job". I'm not worthy of praise. It didn't help that I had a poor self image. I too didn't want to be prideful.
Quite a few years ago I became a lay person at church. I would start the service with prayer, read the Bible verse of the day, and pray for the offering. A few members of the church commented on how well I did. A few years later, the superintendent of our region asked me to become a lay minister for a small church. Needless to say, I was anxious for the opportunity to serve.
I received compliments from a few members of the church. It boosted my confidence. However, after about two years, I became aware that I was not cutout to be a pastor. I felt that I was doing a disservice to the church, so I quit. I felt bad about doing that. Soon after that an ordained pastor served the church.
I believe I had became too prideful in what I thought I could do. I'm thankful for the opportunity and the realization that it wasn't what God had in mind for me.
I have less concerned about being prideful and accept compliments, the givers get a blessing in saying it.
I love this friend. I think anything can become a temptation, but I do wonder if "putting ourselves down" too much has also become a temptation. Nevertheless, I love your humility in this post from start to finish. It really is encouraging.
Can we untangle the sin in "pride" from the satisfaction of being affirmed for the results of gifts given us by God. We're admonished by the apostles to build one another up, encourage one another daily, look out for the interests of others. God gives out gifts of teaching, serving, leading, etc, for the good of all. Why not lean in and say "Thank you for your affirmation to me of a job well done" I enjoy and appreciate God's goodness in me working for the good of all.(??)
I love this. I think this articulates what I straining toward. Thanks for wrestling with this in such a thought provoking way :)
This me in a nutshell. I’m also a musician--nothing is ever good enough. I was just in this thought process last week. And sure enough I was tested by my Pastor. He said, “the line you improvised was just beautiful, it complimented Lydia (Violin) just perfectly. It was beautiful.” Oh that sended a chill up my spine--was I again going to spurn what Chris said, or--say Thank you, appreciated. I’m realizing that God is using me to inspire many in our Church service. It’s been a tultimus year, Cancer, losing the use my left arm (significantly weaker after surgery). And recovery has been slow. In fact my doctor told me I’d never play again. What? The very thing I was created to do? Well there is good news, I obviously did not quit pushing my craft forward, but, my Flugelhorn inspires others. I’m grateful to God for giving me this privilege. And for now on I say, TY very much. For I know it is God working through me.
I love this Richard. There is a powerful resilience that is birthed with accepting gifts from our God gratefully. Thank you for your humility, vulnerability, and demonstrating with healthy/holy pride can look like. Praying for you right now by name.
Pride goes before the fall. What if we never did anything that we could take pride in? If we do not attempt life with an attitude of something we could be proud of, why do it? I remember doing some dumb things and my father would say; "Are you proud of that?" The same phrase was used not only when done with something dumb but maybe a project that I did not do to the best of my ability, settling for only having finished. The problem becomes doing it only for acclimation of others not for the acclimation of a Father in Heaven who one day will say; "Well done good and faithful servant." Do it with pride, do it for the Father! Pride, the new discipline.
Well said Shane!
I absolutely love this. Thanks Sean!
I also have concerns with compliments. I'm not that important to being praised. I will usually respond with, "I'm just doing my job". I'm not worthy of praise. It didn't help that I had a poor self image. I too didn't want to be prideful.
Quite a few years ago I became a lay person at church. I would start the service with prayer, read the Bible verse of the day, and pray for the offering. A few members of the church commented on how well I did. A few years later, the superintendent of our region asked me to become a lay minister for a small church. Needless to say, I was anxious for the opportunity to serve.
I received compliments from a few members of the church. It boosted my confidence. However, after about two years, I became aware that I was not cutout to be a pastor. I felt that I was doing a disservice to the church, so I quit. I felt bad about doing that. Soon after that an ordained pastor served the church.
I believe I had became too prideful in what I thought I could do. I'm thankful for the opportunity and the realization that it wasn't what God had in mind for me.
I have less concerned about being prideful and accept compliments, the givers get a blessing in saying it.
I love this friend. I think anything can become a temptation, but I do wonder if "putting ourselves down" too much has also become a temptation. Nevertheless, I love your humility in this post from start to finish. It really is encouraging.