Article September 14, 1998 Issue

If you feel unappreciated

Humility beats resentment.

By Clifford Kapps Eriksen

I wasn't expecting a gold watch or fireworks or a building named in my honor; a simple "thank-you" would have sufficed. Those who supervised my work seemed unappreciative and unaware, however, of all I had done for the organization, not to mention all the sacrifices I had made for many years on its behalf.

Admittedly, I was annoyed—with those who had overlooked my efforts and with myself for the folly of wanting some human recognition. I had to wrestle not only with annoyance but disappointment, self-righteousness, resentment, and hurt feelings as well. I had learned, however, the necessity of keeping guard over my thinking. These negative feelings could not be allowed to fester, to inflame and poison my experience. Christian Science had shown me the importance of following Jesus' example of spiritual love and forgiveness.

"Dear God, show me what I need to learn" was my prayerful petition. The answer was immediate, printed in bold capital letters right in front of me as I turned the next corner. A signboard standing outside a church quoted as its "thought of the week" Paul's humble query after being struck blind: "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" (Acts 9:6). What stood out so clearly to me was the word thou. In that instant I glimpsed a profound spiritual fact: man exists solely to glorify God.

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