Trust in the power of God

 As a general societal rule, we aren’t taught to accept compliments, even if well-deserved.  We’re taught to deflect or minimize them.  Although we crave affirmation for ourselves and our work, we don’t know what to do with it when it’s given.

I wonder if even Jesus, human that He was, struggled with that.  When the demon named Him as the Holy One of God, Jesus quickly silenced it before He freed the man from possession [Mark 1:21-28].  At that point in His ministry, was Jesus uncomfortable with the title bestowed on Him?

Or maybe He was uncomfortable with other people’s perception.  Maybe Jesus didn’t need affirmation of His worth or His special relationship with God, plus He knew that having His “fame” spread throughout Galilee was not necessarily a good thing.  He didn’t want to be idolized; He wanted to be imitated.  He didn’t want to be a celebrity; He wanted to be a model of what we all can be.  Living out His mission could be impeded by such recognition.

I suspect there was a bit of both at play in this interaction.  So, how do I balance that in my own life?  I believe the first step is to unlearn my well-practiced tendency to base my self-worth on what others think.  I too often use praise and affirmation to assure myself of my value and lovability.  And of course, when I get the opposite, I feel demeaned and unlovable.

Instead, I need to center my worth as Jesus did – in my core identity and status as a precious, beloved child of God whom no one can demean or destroy.  Human admiration, loyalty, and love can be so fickle.  Only God’s love is unwavering, ever-present, and has nothing but my best interests at heart, even when the demons of past hurts and suffering arise and even with all my scars and imperfections.  So, despite how insignificant and unworthy I can feel, I need to sit in prayer and simply let God love me.

Then I need to respond to that undeserved outpouring of love.  I must keep God at the center of all I do and live out my own mission, trusting that I will indeed make a difference when my open heart allows the Spirit to touch others through me.

Finally, when I am praised, I can be grateful and accepting.  It’s not boastful to sincerely appreciate the confirmation that I am serving as an instrument of God.

That all is much harder in practice than it is in writing.  I may even have to start backwards – learning to graciously accept compliments that I can then take into prayer.  Regardless, perhaps we can all work to believe in our core identity and value in God, and then help free others from the demons that prevent their recognition of the same in themselves.  We’re all in this together with Jesus – lovable, precious, and sent to the world.

It's a fact that the evil one is constantly at work all around us.  Consider the people and circumstances in your life where the pure and holy Truth of God is attacked and rejected.  It’s in those situations, more than any other, that Jesus wants to bestow upon you His divine authority to confront evil, rebuke it and take authority over it.  This is primarily done through prayer and deep trust in the power of God.  Don’t be afraid to allow God to use you to confront the activity of the evil one in this world.

Lord, give me courage and wisdom when I face the activity of the evil one in this world. Give me wisdom to discern his hand at work and give me courage to confront and rebuke him with Your love and authority. May Your authority be alive in my life, Lord Jesus, and may I daily become a better instrument of the coming of Your Kingdom as I confront the evil present in this world. Jesus, I trust in You.