Praised by God, Unpraised by Men

"No one stood with me, but all forsook me. . . . But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me." (2 Timothy 4:16-17) Have you ever experienced pouring your love and energy into something or someone and receiving no thanks? It happens all the time! It can also happen that you did your best but others received the credit for the work you've accomplished. Being human, it's just but natural to get hurt when we receive no appreciation for the good we have done for the other. Paul likewise went through times like that in his ministry when everyone abandoned him. Yet his focus was on the strength that God gave him “so that the message might be preached fully” through him (2 Timothy 4:16-17). Let's check our hearts when we give and serve. Our calling is simply to go on ministering, whether praised or unpraised by men. As Scripture also reminds us, "We serve God, not men."