«O my soul, you have said to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord, my goodness is nothing apart from you’”(Psalm 16:2).
A few years ago, I organized a special project that took months of planning. One of my bosses, let’s call him John, waited until I finished all the work to communicate to me that he would take care of the practical phase; he would be «the face of the project.» From my perspective, what this meant was that I would do all the work, and he would get the applause. I was very upset about his attitude! However, I told myself that my anger had more to do with his dishonest move than with who received the laurels. Sometime later, when I started working for another company, I realized that laurels mattered to me more than I wanted to admit. Even working with different people, I had a kind of mental account of how much applause everyone received. While it’s good for our work to be recognized and it’s important for our professional growth, my mental math was not just about this, but about feeding my pride.
It is difficult to figure out why it bothers us that others do not recognize our efforts. Are we trying to defend the source of our work or our pride? Sometimes I find it difficult to see the line that defines one from the other. I am tempted to go from one extreme to the other like a pendulum: either defending my rights at all costs or being completely quiet to look good to people. Of course, there’s Someone who can tell me what my real motivations are. If I ask Him, God will show me whether my reactions flow from the polluted river of pride or not.
In his book A Praying Life, Paul Miller commented, «When someone shares an idea that was originally mine, I want to mention that it occurred to me first. I feel restless, as if the universe were off its axis. In short, I want to brag. The only way to quench my soul’s thirst for prominence is to start praying: ‘There is no good outside of you.’ » If someone steals your laurels, stop and ask God: «How should I react? What are my real motivations?» He is faithful and will help you if you ask Him.
«Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting» (Psalm 139:23, 24).
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Take From: Devotional Thoughts for Women 2022
«NO FEARS»
BY: VANEZA PISSUTO
Collaborators: Alexandra Pérez & Angelica Cuate
