Proverbs
27:21: Fire tests the purity of silver and
gold, but a person is tested by being praised.
We have all heard of people "changing"
when they get promoted or "power getting to people's heads", but here
we have a verse that says that "fame" is just a test. This is meaning
that when you get a like, recognition, a compliment, praise, accommodation, a
promotion, or an award, it's actually a test to see how you respond. Do you
take the glory and become prideful saying to yourself "Look what I have
become and done on my own."? What do you do with accommodation? Many of us
keep on the path of trying to get more likes and validation from employers,
forgetting to take a step back and make sure the team around us also gets
accommodation since we already got ours. We also forget sometimes the team
who got us there because we get centrally focused on ourselves. How do you
handle praise? What do you praise? Musicians? Athletes? Beauty? Looks?
Wisdom? What you praise speaks of your character. Just click search on
your Instagram feed and it will begin to generate photos of pictures similar to
things and people you have praised. Puppies, weightlifters, the military, cars,
and so on.
What you do with praise reflects who you are. A
wise man or woman will give glory to God when they are praised. He created us
so we thank Him for this. He gives us our talents, so we thank Him for the
ability to steward them correctly. We do not know how long we will have the
talents He gives us. He gives us the ability and health to work for our money.
He gives us leadership abilities and opportunities, so we also thank Him. Today
let's thank Him for every gift He gives us and every word of praise. Also,
speak well of others but refrain from lifting yourself up.
Proverbs 27:2 "Let another praise you,
and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips." Many of us are constantly marketing
ourselves and have little to no self-awareness. Don’t sell, attract. Use your
tongue to praise others not yourself.
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