I’ve never been a fan of motivation via guilt. I guard against “receiving” it and I especially guard against giving it.
Attempting to make someone behave via guilt may accomplish its short-term goal but it will leave the receiver feeling manipulated, frustrated, and resentful.
Nehemiah 2:6 says that when Nehemiah approached King Artaxerxes (after much prayer!) requesting a ticket back to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall, the King “was pleased to send him.” Aha!
He was willing to release Nehemiah to serve in a different capacity.
My own church (Summit Upstate) came to mind as the “aha!” moment faded. Last year, I was asked to serve in a certain capacity that seemed to be a great fit — but I had zero peace about saying yes. So I didn’t. And all was okay. I wasn’t made to feel guilty for not “filling a need.” They trusted God to bring the right person, and of course, He did!
I want to be that kind of person. One who “releases” others to simply be. To be who God wired them to be. To be who Christ has freed them to be — regardless if I understand, agree or “get it”. This is motivation via the Gospel — one based on trust.
I don’t have to control. I get to release instead.
Love this, Cathy! My friend Martha has a great saying:
Your need is not my call.
Remembering that helps me not feel pressured to say yes. PLUS – we threaten to rob someone else of their blessing.
I might not know a lot, but the Lord has shown me a couple of things in my 50 yrs 😉
I believe He's shown you QUITE a lot, my sweet friend. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with me.
I love that — Your need is not my call. Wow. Talk about freeing!
I tend to rebel when I feel like someone is trying to motivate me with guilt. Someone close to me is often motivated by guilt and it aggravates me. Sadly, I find myself using guilt on my children sometimes. I know it is for the same reason guilt irritates me so much, though. It was used on me by a family member (not my parents) and was, therefore, set as a pattern for me. Praise the Lord, he breaks the bonds!
Oh what timeliness Cathy!
I'm in the thick of writing a study and this very topic is one I'm addressing — motivation is huge in our lives– why do we do what we do? I love how you shared with us that we don't have to control, we can release instead. 😉 Good word.
Love to you, Hester 😉
Tereasa, I too tend to rebel. I'm praising the Lord with you — thank You Jesus for breaking the bonds of guilt-driven patterns!
Hester, I look forward to your Bible study. 🙂 God's timing is always just right.
Thank you for sharing, Tereasa and Hester. Love and appreciate you!