The Art of Receiving

I'm the kind of person that thinks being humble means thinking less of myself. I don't like receiving praises from people because I worry other people will think I'm full of myself.. I don't want them to see me lavishly soaking up praises, accepting good things given to me, as I fear that they will discuss me behind my back.

See, I have been discussion topics in the past. Maybe even in the present. It's not nice. And I do not want to be discussion topic's in the future.

But isn't it true that people will talk whether you're doing bad or good..

This fear of being talked about behind my back, is what plagues my life. I don't like receiving things from people because of the fear that people will discuss what I have received and even discuss my act of taking, behind my back. Sometimes I'm plagued with the thoughts that I don't even deserve what is being given to me. And you know why I think I don't deserve it.. Because I judge what I deserve by the standards of people around me. If Person A doesn't think I deserve it, and will talk about me behind my back, then I definitely don't deserve it, and definitely won't take it. Yet if Person B felt I deserved it, I would happily accept what's given.

What kind of thinking, even, what kind of living is this. *Speaks to self* - Tayo, GROW UP! GET OVER IT!

If you think like this, or think similarly, here's some advice to you (advice to myself too - sometimes I preach to myself #GuiltyConfession) :-

• Being humble isn't thinking less of yourself - it's thinking of yourself, less. You are beautiful, you are gifted, you are talented, and all those other good things. Don't let someone treat you, or even make you feel like a Weed, when you're a Rose!
• Don't judge what you deserve by the standard of people around you. You will miss out on goodness and soooo many opportunities, out of fear that Lucy doesn't think you should get it and will talk about you behind your back - that's Lucy's business (and her bitterness). She has no right to tell you what you do or don't deserve!
• Acknowledge that God is the reason for all the goodness - Give thanks and glory to Him. Don't feel you have to explain yourself further to anyone.

So I'm gonna take a stand! I will live to please God and not man. If someone cheers me on.. If I'm gifted by someone, or something.. I will give God the glory, and accept it without giving second thought of what ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ will think!

Are you ready to join me?

3, 2, 1,

Go.