I don't know about you, but I find it difficult to take a compliment well. I think it has a lot to do with the fact that

We Are Our Own Worst Critics

And the reason is that we see all the dirt. We know ourselves better than anyone else. We see all the imperfections. We feel all of the mistakes and we live with them on a daily basis. And they weigh on us.

I didn’t do this right.
I could have been a better parent here, a better friend there.
I should have said this over there.
I should have given more money there, prayed more here, read my Bible more, served the poor, attended church, sinned less, etc…

And the more we know, the more we criticize.

And the more we know, the less likely we are to receive a compliment.

I think that’s why Jesus said that we need to come to Him with faith like a child…. And just say, “Thank You”!

It’s just as important to receive a compliment as it is to give one.

Just say “Thanks”!

Have you ever given a kid a compliment? They just smile and say, “Thank you”.

It’s just as important to receive a compliment as it is to give one.

Learning to receive a compliment will counteract the criticism. It will literally make you less critical.

Compliments counteract criticism.

Why do we struggle to receive compliments? According to Lisa Shuman, a Social Worker from New York, we don't receive compliments well for the following reasons.

1. Low self-esteem
2. Social anxiety disorder
3. We have an inability to experience positive feelings or feelings of gratitude.

The reason we can’t receive a compliment is because we don’t know what we have!

“Accepting compliments is good for your self-esteem and overall fulfillment in life.” Dr. Whitbourne (Professor of Psychology)

In other words, “It’s good for you!!!”

The first-century religious community was no different. The Jews were the first to reject the gift that God brought to them. And He did bring it to them; the Jew first and then the Gentile. They not only criticized the gift, they full-on rejected it!

These were the religious elite of the day. They knew how badly they needed a savior, but they couldn’t accept it. It’s like they knew too much. They knew how wicked they were and didn’t want anyone else to know. They were afraid of losing control. So instead of accepting the gift and saying thank you, they deflected it, and rejected it!

Don't deflect and reject. Just accept it.

They rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer!

They took it as a compliment!

I don't know about you, but I can’t even take compliments as compliments, let alone criticism!

Don’t just learn how to give compliments, learn how to receive them!

It’s just as important to receive a compliment as it is to give one.

Just say “Thanks”!

For many, the idea of saying "Thank you" goes hand in hand with the idea of receiving a gift. If you're like me you struggle to receive gifts, especially the gift of salvation. This stems from our own low self-esteem because we know that we're not worthy.

If you think you’re not worthy to receive this free gift from the Lord, you’re right! But He gave it to you anyway. So just say thanks! Accept it. And live your life in accordance with the gift.

It’s a free gift! That means it’s already been paid for. You don’t have to do anything to get it. Just believe it. Just receive it.

Just accept the gift and say “Thank you!”