These two words have the power to push me back into my shell. It’s a wicked dance. I crave praise. I want what I do, to be seen as good and worthy.

I spoke at a women’s church gathering years ago, my title was I Want to Be Better Than You. Quite the snobbish sentiment, wouldn’t you agree? Unfortunately, I find it is true. I want to be the better speaker, the better singer, and the better writer. I want to be the first pick and I want you to be amazed at my awesomeness. But I know the truth. I’m not that awesome.

And comparison is a slippery slope.

Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭16‬:‭18‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding. But we will not boast beyond limits, but will boast only with regard to the area of influence God assigned to us, to reach even to you.
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Though I crave praise, it makes me uncomfortable. Praise feels like a setup with high expectations that I will fail to meet; my flaws will become visible and I will disappoint you. I know they’re there. I look at them as through a magnifying glass. I have a whole list of times I’ve been a disappointment. This makes it hard for me to accept compliments, thinking how badly I want to please people and the times I get performance anxiety and flub up. It’s why it’s taking me so long to publish my novel.

There will always be lessons I need to learn, immaturity I need to grow out of, and understanding to gain. There will always be people better than me. Oppositely, there will always be things I am better at than some people. That doesn’t make me a better person or a more valuable person. Our worth is not determined by what we do.

Rather than seeking the praise of others for validation, I know that it’s okay to want to do well, to do my best before God.

Let everyone be devoted to fulfill the work God has given them to do with excellence, and their joy will be in doing what’s right and being themselves, and not in being affirmed by others.
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭4‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people.
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭23‬ ‭CSB‬‬

If accepting praise makes you uncomfortable, here is my advice: don’t dishonor someone’s opinion by making excuses that you weren’t that good, don’t say it’s all God, accept that even if you think you could have done better you did well, don’t over analyze, just accept the compliment and say thank you. Then go home and work diligently on your craft knowing that God is working in you and touching people’s hearts.

Grace & Peace,

Sandy

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