Tested by Praise!

Gold and silver are tested

in a red-hot furnace,

but we are tested by praise.

Proverbs 27:21

A wise man once told me to carefully consider criticism and to ignore praise.  He said that your downfall commences  when you begin to believe all the good things other people say about you.  He also helped me to learn that those who tell you your faults give you stepping stones to later success.

No one sees you as you really are except You and God, and often even you are deceived about your own life!  What other people think of you is never an accurate assessment of who you are. 

There is only one way to know yourself, and that is by seeing the reflection of your own life in the Word of God.  The Bible will speak to every issue.  If there is any appropriate praise for your life, let it come from God and let His rebuke be the motivation for change. 

You see it really makes no difference what other people think of you.  Spending time trying to win the approval of men is surely a waist of time, but living your life with the approval of God as your goal is exceedingly wise!

"Lord Jesus, help me today to pass the test of praise and look only to You and Your Word to evaluate my own life!   Thank You Jesus!  Amen."