How do you respond to compliments?
I think it is harder to respond appropriately to compliments than to criticism.
My whole career has been spent designing performances (planning worship services) standing on a stage (church platform) singing (worship leading) and leading creative arts groups (ministry teams). Criticisms and compliments are a regular occurrence. Its the compliments that are the hardest to respond to.
Loved the choir song today.
Wow...the music was beautiful today.
You did a great job leading today.
As an musician it feels great to get compliments but in the church setting how do you respond? I have struggled with this all my career. In a human way I need the good words from people but as a Christ-follower I want to make sure people understand that I want to direct the recognition to God.
In a recent look at the passages below I found some guidelines about responding to compliments.
Peter then invited them in and gave them lodging.The next day he got up and set out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went with him. The following day he entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell at his feet, and worshiped him. But Peter helped him up and said, “Stand up! I myself am also a man.” Acts 10:23-26
He had been very angry with the Tyrians and Sidonians. Together they presented themselves before him. They won over Blastus, who was in charge of the king’s bedroom, and through him they asked for peace, because their country was supplied with food from the king’s country. So on an appointed day, dressed in royal robes and seated on the throne, Herod delivered a public address to them. The assembled people began to shout, “It’s the voice of a god and not of a man!” At once an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give the glory to God, and he became infected with worms and died. Acts 12:20-23
Then he said to me, “Write: Those invited to the marriage feast of the Lamb are fortunate!” He also said to me, “These words of God are true.” Then I fell at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow slave with you and your brothers who have the testimony about Jesus. Worship God, because the testimony about Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Revelation 19:9-10
I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. When I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had shown them to me. But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow slave with you, your brothers the prophets, and those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.” Revelation 22:6-9
Conclusion...
- Accept with sincerity all recognition.
- Always remember our strength, talents, skill are not of our own doing but come from God
- Redirect the recognition to God who deserves it more than we do.
How have you found is the best way to respond to compliments?