My husband and I were running errands the other day when he commented on an article I had recently published. His encouragement was unexpected, and without thinking, I responded, “Of all the pieces I’ve written, I think that one’s the best.”
Instantly, I felt embarrassed. I covered my mouth and apologized for sounding prideful.
For some of us, receiving a compliment triggers an overwhelming sense of awkwardness. What do we do with a word of praise? How should we respond? Here’s a deeper question: Is it actually sinful pride to take pleasure in the work God has given us to do? Is it wrong to recognize the fruit of years of practice, or to rejoice when our words find their way into the hearts of the people we wrote them for?
Delight in God’s Work
Often when I’m taking a walk in the nearby nature park, riding my bike in the mountains, or driving down the highway past all the glowing fields and lowing cattle, I intentionally pause to marvel at God’s creation. I think about the intricacies of his design, all the minuscule details he purposefully crafted for our good and his glory.
God loves to see us delight in the things he’s made. I think he smiles when he sees me standing in the park, staring at the woodpecker madly hammering at the ants in the rotting tree trunk. Maybe God nods in understanding, as if to say, “Yes, Jana. That bird’s got a beak as hard as a hammer, doesn’t he? How delightful! I’m glad you’re enjoying him!”
God himself is actually pleased with his creation.
We see this in the very first chapter of the Bible. Repeatedly in Genesis 1, we read that God deemed his creation “good”. After six days of work, “God saw everything he had made, and behold, it was very good.”
Psalm 104 describes many of God’s amazing works, and then declares in verse 31 (NLT), “The Lord takes pleasure in all that he has made!”
My favorite example is in the book of Job. When God talks about some of the creatures he made, his descriptions convey pure delight. I imagine he wears a wide grin on his face as he draws our attention to the ostrich in Job 39:13–18. He admits she’s a foolish bird, but her “flaws” clearly don’t bother him. She may be clumsy, but she sure is fast! He created her that way on purpose, and he is pleased with her. Long before I read the Bible, I thought horses are majestic, and according to Job 39:19–25, God agrees. He designed the horse that way on purpose, and clearly takes pleasure in it.
Responding With Gratitude, Not Shame
So, if God delights in his work, why can’t we who are made in his image also delight in our creative endeavors?
Now, I’m not saying we should brag about ourselves or flaunt our work. I’m not suggesting we seek praise and recognition from others. I’m simply suggesting that there may be more appropriate ways to respond to complimentary feedback than by feeling embarrassed or ashamed about the attention.
When someone tells us our writing blessed them, ministered to their need, drew them nearer to Christ, or replaced confusion with clarity, should we not be glad?
Consider this: Maybe God is using that person to encourage, affirm, or even teach us in our creative pursuits. This is the gift of community, for which we were created. If someone points out what we did well in stewarding our talent, why not regard it as a “well done” from our Master? If God uses our creativity to bear fruit in someone else’s life, why not rejoice? When we receive a compliment, a thankful response is appropriate.
Encourage Others in Their Work
This truth leaves us with one last, beautiful call to action.
When God uses the work of others to draw you to himself, to minister to you, or simply to delight you, why not let them know?
Let’s spur each other on (Hebrews 10:24) and encourage each other (1 Thessalonians 5:11). In doing so, we bring glory to God and build up his church. Delighting in the creative work of others—and telling them so—pleases our Creator.
This blog post originally appeared as Permission to Be Pleased on my Wield The Word Substack in August 2025.