“He will take great delight in you” Zephaniah 3:17
Why is it so hard to take a compliment? I have tried very hard over the past ten years to say thank you and leave it at that. But I still struggle with my initial response. I am always bashful, like who me?! on the outside, but internally I am grinning from ear to ear. I love compliments. I feed off of praise for weeks at a time. They give me energy and spur creativity. So why do I act bashful or ashamed to accept the praise? These are all rhetorical questions, please no feedback!
My first instance was tonight after our 5 K running group. One of the girls mentioned how she wanted to run like me, so effortlessly. I became shy and acted like it was nothing. But on the inside I was leaping for joy, so proud of how much I have accomplished over the past few months. So why didn’t I say, thanks, it takes practice and you too can run effortlessly?
The next instance was after I returned from my run. I read a devotional by Max Lucado that contained the verse quoted above from Zephaniah. I felt the exact same way- bashful and laughed it off. Jesus was giving me a compliment, but I was ashamed to accept that He would delight in me.
The ultimate answer is Jesus and others believe in me, but I do not believe in myself. I need to take these compliments as building blocks and stack my confidence and self esteem upon them. It is okay to smile and say thank you and that is enough said. That would not make me a stuck up, snotty, self centered, arrogant person.
It is okay to receive a compliment and not give something in return other than a thank you. We don’t have to say, oh and I like your shoes or whatever it is. We just have to simply say thank you.
Thank you Lord that you delight in me and that you tell me. Thank you Angela that you think I am an effortless runner. Thank you for making me feel great and building my confidence and for providing me with joy!