Success and Failure
What are we taking to heart?
“How do we balance the divine calling to encourage others while guarding against the pride that can come from compliments? “
I struggle to take a compliment gracefully; in fact, I can be pretty awkward about it. I’m not sure if this is something I’ve inherited, learned, or if it stems from the tension between wanting to appear grateful but not prideful. Let me be clear—I’m not full of myself. But in trying to make sure others see that, I may come across as dismissive of their compliments or feedback. The truth is, I deeply appreciate when people go out of their way to be kind with their words. So, how do I strike the balance between acknowledging their kindness and not letting a compliment inflate my ego?
We live in a world that thrives on feedback, and studies show that positive reinforcement can be incredibly beneficial. But how do we remain humble in the face of this praise? How do we balance the divine calling to encourage others while guarding against the pride that can come from compliments? God has crafted a reality where positive feedback is not only beneficial but encouraged. Yet, He also calls us to humility, as reflected in scripture. James 4:6 reminds us, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Meanwhile, Proverbs 16:24 tells us, "Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body." These verses illustrate that positive feedback is both powerful and scriptural. So, how do we reconcile these two concepts?
Over the past few years, I’ve really worked to understand my true worth, and I believe this exploration may offer a pathway to reconciling encouragement and humility. Galatians 2:20 states, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me." This verse anchors our identity and value in Christ. If our worth is rooted in Him, can we truly claim credit for our successes and failures? I’ve grappled with what it means to find my worth in Christ rather than in worldly accolades. What does that look like in practice? My curiosity about the “why” behind human behavior is what probably drove me to study social sciences. I wasn't exactly the easiest teenager. I always had to know the "why." Sorry, Mom and Dad! Understanding the cause-and-effect relationships in life has helped me discern where I place my value. For instance, when I feel anxious about my career—whether it’s landing a job offer or receiving recognition for my efforts—I can easily spiral into feelings of inadequacy. In these moments, I realize that my worth is tied to my job rather than to Jesus. Conversely, when I excel in sports or receive compliments for a presentation, I risk feeling superior to others. Again, I see how my self-worth becomes dictated by my achievements.
“Our talents are treasures to enjoy, not sources of value.”
But if my worth is in Christ, then I’m reminded that it’s not my life I’m living for—it's His. Losing out on a job is less devastating when I remember that my value is not tied to that position. Similarly, if I publish an article, I can celebrate it as a way to glorify God, not as a measure of my worth. Every talent and skill I possess is a gift from Him, meant to reflect His glory. Can we enjoy our talents and skills? Absolutely! God has given us pleasures to savor in this life. We can take joy in our abilities and the world around us. However, we must ask ourselves: Are we placing our worth in these things? Are they dictating how we feel about ourselves? Our talents are treasures to enjoy, not sources of value. Recognizing this distinction can help us avoid the pitfalls of pride and insecurity. In navigating the tension between encouragement and humility, we should indeed receive and give compliments, it's biblical. But let us remember that our true worth lies in Christ alone
