The Importance of Receiving Compliments
Before I get into this subject, you need to know that I’m an artist. Therefore, my thoughts on the topic of receiving compliments are deeply influenced by two perspectives: as an artist and as someone who appreciates the creativity of other artists. You should also know that I have wrestled with knowing how & when to receive compliments from others. If you struggle with this, you are not alone.
As artists, we find pleasure in the act of creating. It is amazing and fulfilling to experience the process of making the invisible visible. More satisfaction comes when we see the joy our work brings to those who view our creations. As they take in what they see, their natural reaction is to compliment the artist. This is where things can go sideways.
I’ve observed that many Christian artists don’t know how to receive a compliment. Not long ago I complimented someone’s painting, and they said, “Oh, it was all God. To Him be the Glory.” I immediately felt pain in my spirit. But why? What could be wrong with giving God the Glory? Bear with me while I explain.
Somehow it has become a common practice to equate accepting a compliment with being proud. God’s Word does warn against the dangers of being prideful. But deflecting well-meant encouragement hardly seems an adequate alternative. In fact, this reaction may have unintended consequences which deserve further consideration.
When you divert someone’s compliment away from yourself, you are inadvertently telling the person they are wrong. You are communicating that you don’t deserve the compliment, so you’re passing it along to God. When you reject someone’s compliment you cut off the opportunity for a relationship and your reaction reeks of false humility. Ouch.
Consider this: Pride takes credit selfishly, but false humility gives credit away to avoid the appearance of being proud. Both actions put the focus on pride, not on God.
What’s the fix? Just say, “Thank you!” Your work is worthy of acknowledgement. I believe that it brings God joy to see you receive the compliment. What father doesn't delight in seeing the hard work of his child acknowledged? You are created in the image of your Heavenly Father and, as imago dei, you have inherent dignity. You are an image bearer, reflecting attributes of the God-head to those admiring your work. It’s true that God gave you the talent, but you have a responsibility to develop and exercise that talent. God inspired you to create; calling you to make it visible. This is known as co-creating, and it is at the center of God’s will for each of us.
Your simple, sincere “thank you” invites others to engage with you further & gives you the opportunity to minister to them as your art makes a connection with them at a heart-level. If you’ve struggled with this in the past, I encourage you to practice receiving compliments and see how God uses it for his glory!
Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory (Romans 8:17, NIV).
