Comments on: Refusing to take compliments.

By: Child’s Play | Helen's Random Musings

Child’s Play | Helen's Random Musings — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 17:01:43 +0000

[...] I see Lewis’s point, though I must admit, I always thought that pretending to be better than we really are is the definition of phoniness. I suppose that is why Christians often send the glory upward when they are praised. (Which reminds me of a VERY funny post Jon Acuff did years ago..) [...]

By: Mommy L

Mommy L — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:09:45 +0000

Jon, I would like to pay YOU a compliment: I love your blog very much!

By: David

David — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 21:50:19 +0000

Haha I agree with you for the most part, but playing devil's advocate here.. What if God used us as his hands and feet to move on a campus or something?

I mean, would you say that to Paul after he performed some healings after breakfast? Maybe. Or Moses after his staff turned into a serpent.

Just a thought .

By: jololikestuff

jololikestuff — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 21:15:07 +0000

I am like this way too. I think it is actually a symptom of pride not to take a compliment; people who are humble can take a compliment gracefully and not get worked up over it, while people who might struggle with pride will go in to nervous shock when receiving a compliment because they don’t want to admit how much they love praise. Maybe it’s a little more subtle than that, but I do think that humility is better represented in graciously accepting compliments rather than shunning them.

By: robin reusch

robin reusch — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 23:38:47 +0000

Don 't know why , but it is hard to receive a compliment.When I put together a new theme for our children s church program, parents are always saying.." Oh you're so creative and crafty" To which I normally reply
"Its not me, its God, I'm the Anticraft" now I guess I'll just suck it up and say "Thank You" ( even though I don't have a crafty bone in my body!)

By: thoughtriver

thoughtriver — Thu, 13 May 2010 18:51:33 +0000

There is nothing wrong with accepting compliments. I always found the 'pride' argument to be "wafer thin". Yes of course, like you said you can go too far that way but normally I see the opposite. For the love of pete, take a compliment people.

By: Kimberly Ann Doremus

Kimberly Ann Doremus — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 04:32:23 +0000

Good point. You are very astute to bring this to light. I never realized how stupid it was that I do this very thing until you graciously showed me the error of my ways by humbly admitting what you have so wisely learned.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 19:10:37 +0000

I really do struggle with not knowing how to respond. As a musician, I frequently am complimented after I play or sing. I've finally stopped trying to come up with elaborate stuff and just say "Thank you." Sometimes I say, "Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it" or "Thank you for telling me". If they compliment my singing, I might say "Thank you – I enjoy the opportunity to sing."
I feel like there's something better out there, and it still feels awkward, but at least there's no shame in a simple, honest "Thank you."

By: Andrea

Andrea — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:27:45 +0000

I'm a Christian that is learning to be a professional classical singer. I've had to learn to just say "thank you" after someone compliments a song or what have you. Most of the time the people complimenting me are Christian friends, who follow my "thank you" with "God has given you a beautiful voice", and then we talk a little bit more. False modesty does no good. Take the compliment as sincere thanks for your accomplishments, and give glory to God who gave you everything, and leave it at that. That should be good.
And I do hit those high notes.

By: savinggrc

savinggrc — Fri, 01 May 2009 21:39:00 +0000

When I was a teen, someone told me to just say, "thanks" and move on. Then later, in church (go figure), I was told "Look how spiritual she is, she gives all the glory to God and doesn't take compliments."

Now you've confused me. tic

I still say thanks.