In Security – Ems HancockSample

Being Secure Helps Us Honor Others

I once spent some time in a team setting where everyone else was male, learned and older. These people had more letters after their names than I had in my whole address! I regularly felt out of my depth and as though I had nothing to offer. I wasn’t confident to say very much because I felt a lack of regard for me in the room.

Deficient honor takes many ugly forms. It belittles us, bullies us and betrays us. It can manifest itself in manipulation or control issues. We can be unsure of the cause of the angst in the air, but feel as though the atmosphere is fraught and tight for some reason. It can make us feel afraid to be ourselves.

I wish I could go back into that team now that I am much more confident in who I am and what I carry. But I let those people’s opinion of me matter far too much and make me feel small.

In Romans 12:10 the apostle Paul exhorts us to “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.” He goes on to say, “Honor one another above yourselves.” This kind of honor is counter-cultural isn’t it? It goes against our natural instincts, which are to care for and value ourselves FIRST.

I was once in a meeting after a church service. One of the guys started thanking God passionately for all the other people in the room. He was praising God for their gifts and abilities and really loving and honoring them with his words. But I sat there thinking, “Why isn’t he including me? Didn’t I do a good job today?” Instead of being able to agree with his prayer, I was filled with insecurity and started to question my own talents. God really pulled me up on it afterwards and made me examine my heart. He told me that I needed to be a celebrator of others and get on board when others were being praised.

Being someone who honors others is so important. Secure people are able to build others up. As much as possible, we need to be encouragers. Who could you honor and celebrate today?

Prayer: Lord, please teach me to honor others with my words and actions and help me not seek constant affirmation from others. Amen.