How To Respond To Those Who Fail To Appreciate You 

1. Throughout history some of the greatest people have been the least appreciated. Even worse, some of the most deserving people have been misunderstood, despised and rejected by those they tried to serve. Moses was a noble man of God who qualified as one of histories most under appreciated heroes. He was a man of high virtue, wisdom and godliness.

A. Moses’ contribution to his people has to rank in the top three of all time. Biblical writers fondly remember Moses as a man of sterling character and gifted with exceptional intelligence. Yet, Stephen cites,

"This Moses whom they rejected, saying, "Who made you a ruler and a judge? Is the one God sent to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the Angel who appeared to him in the bush." (Acts 7:35)

Application: Even when God gives a leader special blessings, it does not mean that he will be appreciated or recognized by his peers. Ask the Lord to help you to rise above the need to feel appreciated so you can serve as to the Lord and not to men. (Col. 3:23,24)

2. It is a human desire to feel treasured, recognized and appreciated, but it is not essential in pleasing God. Everyone wants to have others think well of them, understand them and express enjoyment for their contributions. We are particularly proud when our service receives public recognition as a measure of our worth. Moses was prepared to do His work without the need to be compensated by human praise. Ask the Lord to help you be prepared to serve as Jesus and Moses did.

Application: Remember the famous song, "So send I you to labor unrewarded, to serve unpaid, unloved, unsought, unknown. To bear rebuke, to suffer scorn and scoffing, so send I you to toil for me alone."

3. Trust the Lord to help you to not build upon human appreciations, awards or compensations. Many people allow human appreciations to influence how they determine their lifeâs direction. Some people are so hungry for human recognition that they will go to great lengths to receive human acclaim. Jesus told the Pharisees,

"You are those who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God." (Luke 16:15)

Application: Ask the Lord to help you avoid basing your decisions on how much appreciation you will get.

4. Ask the Lord to help you not become fearful of failing to receive appreciations. Some people are so afraid of not receiving human approval that they are more afraid of men than of God. Many Pharisaical leaders played upon this fear throughout the first century. Stephen spoke against the religious leaders who tried to use this human fear to manipulate people into obeying them rather than Jesus Christ.

Application: Ask God to help you to not allow the fear of failing to receive human appreciation to alter your obedience to Him.

5. Prepare yourself to wholeheartedly serve the Lord regardless of whether people appreciate your efforts. Paul wrote, "Be steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord knowing your labor is not in vain in the Lord." (I Cor. 15:58) God rewards us for every kind word, deed and prayer. Trust the Lord to fulfill His promise that whatever you sow that will you also reap. (Gal. 6:7)

6. Expect that most of what you do will go unappreciated by men. Paul wrote, "They all seek after their own interests, not the things of Christ Jesus." (Phil. 2:21) Believe the fact that "Only one life will soon be past, only what is done for Christ will last." Most people are so hung-up with their own problems that they seldom take time to thank others for their contributions.

Application: Ask God to help you focus on pleasing Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work while you increase in the knowledge of God.(Col.1:9-11)

7. Gain the greatest sense of appreciation from the Lord and then within your own heart. John wrote, "Beloved if our heart do not condemn us we have confidence from God." (I Jn 3:21) Moses knew that gaining Godâs approval was enough for him in this life and in the one to come.

Application: Ask the Lord to help you find your sense of appreciation from Him and the Spiritâs affirmations in your own mind, will and emotions. Peoples’ appreciations are always mercurial, fickle and unsatisfying. What God appreciates is confirmed eternally.