It feels good when others like us and value the work we do. And naturally we will relish in such moments. But such praise quickly becomes a trap when we don’t also have the courage to be disliked.
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying the affirmation others give us. In fact, this is often the fuel we need to keep going. But it becomes dangerous to desperately need this approval from them. We soon neglect the dignity and work God has given us to do and focus our attention on winning admiration of others – an admiration that can be as fickle as the wind. We bend over backwards to stay in their good graces and forget who God has called us to be. In short, we’ve made an idol of being liked by others.
On the other hand, the courage to be disliked frees us to focus on our calling without trying to make everyone happy along the way. Some people will like and appreciate what we offer, while others will not. And this is okay.
For instance, everyone might not like a specialty coffee shop. But such a coffee shop would lose its identity and mission if it tried to appeal to everyone. To boldly offer their excellence they must also be willing to be disliked. And the same is true for us.
God has given us each our own unique glory to reveal. And while we all have our blind spots and should readily welcome the feedback of others, we should not compromise our excellence by trying to please everyone. The courage to be disliked gives us the freedom to continue living by faith – seeking to please God more than man.
In the end, enjoy the praise others offer you without becoming dependent on it. Have the courage to be disliked to continue doing the work God has called you to do.
Photo by tabitha turner on Unsplash
