Meditation Mondays- Do It Anyway, (Part 3)
- Wendy Norris
- Apr 19, 2021
- 3 min read
If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies, SUCCEED ANYWAY
Have you ever been successful in something that earned you favor with some and the hatred of others? Maybe you were promoted. Maybe you consistently receive high test scores. Or, maybe you received a raise. Whether it’s coming up with a brilliant new idea that appears to be instantly successful, or you have climbed your way to the top of the career ladder and were able to finally buy that new car you always wanted, it seems as if there is always someone lurking in the shadows waiting to dampen your spirits.
When an individual is successful, and they receive a lot of attention for their success, others will flock to them to try and get a piece of the glory. Some people have good intentions and really do want to learn from others that are successful. But, some are more sinister and only want to have a friendship because they are envious of the praises and proclamations that come with success. The sudden positive light that is cast down onto the successful person can be intoxicating. Fame, fortune, friendship, it’s hard not to bask in the sudden popularity that comes with the limelight of success.
On the flipside, jealousy can wreak havoc on friendships when one becomes successful and the other does not. Success from the outside seems like it’s easy to obtain and so when someone else appears to ‘have it all,’ envy can start to rear it’s ugly head. The comparison trap has known to ensnare a person or two and has destroyed beautiful friendships and relationships. Comparison and jealousy can quickly turn into bitterness, self-loathing, and hate; which then turns into anger and sometimes rage.
What many people don’t realize is that true success is often hard-earned. Very few are lucky enough to get an easy break. Success in careers, education, and life in general usually entails hours and hours of blood, sweat, tears, and sacrifice. Hours spent studying for the promotional exam instead of spending nights binge-watching television shows, or weekends out on the town lead to high test scores. Higher test scores lead to promotions. Those promotions often involve harder work situations, difficult personnel issues, and more responsibility. With promotion comes a better paycheck…most of the time. But, with a better paycheck comes more taxes.
Success by itself looks easy. It’s the preparation and hard work for that success that people don’t see. It’s also all of the new-founded responsibility, and new sets of issues that goes hand-in-hand with success that people don’t understand. They just see the ‘good life,’ and they want a piece of it and they want it the easy way.
Success can bring the unwanted attention of both those who seek glory or those who seek to destroy. This can be distressing for someone who doesn’t quite know what to do with these types of individuals. Those who seek friendship because of fame will appear fun and appealing at first, but then their true selves will begin to emerge and can be very damaging. Most don’t see that coming. They want to believe the best in people. And then there are the people that will start to throw daggers of jealousy and hate almost immediately. They spread gossip, lies and division. Dealing with them can be exhausting and discouraging.
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24
When you set your work, your plans, or your dreams before the Lord, then the opinions of others won’t matter much. When glory of God defines your success and you use your success to glorify Him, then you won’t place your value and worth in another person’s hands. It won’t matter if they are trying to become your next best friend or if they want to destroy you, you will strive to succeed anyway, because you are doing it for the Lord and not for man.
God will bless your work. He knows your heart and He knows your reasons for doing the work. Sometimes you may find great success, according to man, in the work that you do and other times you may be barely noticed. God determines what success is. Holy success is very different than what humans define as success. When you turn your gaze upward instead of outward, your success, no matter how seen or unseen, will advance the Kingdom. So, keep on keeping on and SUCCEED ANYWAY in the name of the Lord.
Comments