Lately I have been chewing on the right to respect. God has taught me all sorts of lessons on this subject the past 8 years or so and I thought I would bring it up with you.
There are sometimes in my life when I have felt like I haven’t gotten the respect I thought I deserved. Likewise, there have been times in my life when I have gotten more respect than I thought I deserved. For a long period of my life I subconsciuosly tried to find the balance between the two and it directly affected some of my thoughts and actions. I’m sure we have all felt disrespected at times and we’ve probably reacted to that in ways we shouldn’t. Sometimes it results in rebellion. Sometimes in indifference. Sometimes it pushes us to try to prove ourselves and the respect we believe we deserve. Sometimes it results in anger. We can feel justified in our responses because it’s just a matter of “cause and effect”…right?
On the flip side we’ve probably also known a level of respect that we didn’t quite deserve. This side of things feels a lot better. However, it can boost our arrogance, pride and our idea of our entitlement. Sometimes it puts us on pedastals. Sometimes it’s through flattery. Sometimes it is just well intentioned praise.
There are sometimes in my life when I have felt like I haven’t gotten the respect I thought I deserved. Likewise, there have been times in my life when I have gotten more respect than I thought I deserved. For a long period of my life I subconsciuosly tried to find the balance between the two and it directly affected some of my thoughts and actions. I’m sure we have all felt disrespected at times and we’ve probably reacted to that in ways we shouldn’t. Sometimes it results in rebellion. Sometimes in indifference. Sometimes it pushes us to try to prove ourselves and the respect we believe we deserve. Sometimes it results in anger. We can feel justified in our responses because it’s just a matter of “cause and effect”…right?
On the flip side we’ve probably also known a level of respect that we didn’t quite deserve. This side of things feels a lot better. However, it can boost our arrogance, pride and our idea of our entitlement. Sometimes it puts us on pedastals. Sometimes it’s through flattery. Sometimes it is just well intentioned praise.
There is a fear of rejection that is strong in human nature and especially in our culture. This fear of rejection includes the fear of not getting the respect, attention or praise we think we may deserve. The fear of disappointment holds a stronger grasp on many of our decisions than we would like to believe.
The bible says that man is tested by the “PRAISE” of men…I find it interesting that it’s not by the fear of men. How a man handles the praise of others shows a lot about who He lives for.
The third thing that I have found in my life at times is the grip of the “perceptions” of men. This can drive people crazy and put you in a downward cycle that will consume you.
In the end, this is what I have found.
Living by the fear of men, praise of men or perceptions of men will NEVER satisfy and never affirm the person He has created you to be. Only by living by His spirit and for an audience of One will you ever find the confidence to truly be yourself in all situations. If you take up your cross and drink of His cup, you give up your right to respect. It’s not about finding the right balance of how much people respect you or not…It’s about realizing that He never got the respect He deserved and if you want to be associated with Him, you probably won’t either. If you do get respect, use it as a tool to draw and encourage others to Him. Getting respect is a luxury and a responsibility. There’s nothing in me that naturally deserves the goodness, grace or mercy that He provides.
What do you think?
