The Power of Passing on the Compliment

In a world where criticism often overshadows kindness, learning to accept a compliment becomes a powerful act of self-love and humility. Yet, many women struggle to receive praise, feeling unworthy or uncomfortable in the spotlight. But what if, instead of shying away from compliments, we embraced them with grace, or if that feels too daunting, simply borrow the compliment and pass it on to someone else?

I used to shy away from compliments, unsure why our instinct is often to deflect them.

At a luncheon, I encountered a beautiful elderly woman, well into her 80's, who complimented my dress—the very dress I felt would better suit an expecting mother.

My immediate response was, 'You’re so kind, but I don’t agree with you’.  She laughed and told me to sit down.  She boldly explained the importance of accepting a compliment, saying, ‘There will come a time when compliments become rare, and you’ll long for them. Cherish them now, while they come your way.’ Her words changed my perspective on receiving and giving compliments in an instant.  I now stop strangers to compliment them on their shoes or outfit.  And when I see they want to decline I quickly say to them just to accept the compliment and pass it on.

When someone offers you a compliment, they recognize in you a reflection of beauty, strength, or goodness. By accepting their words, you honor not just yourself but also the person who gave the compliment. Proverbs 16:24 reminds us,

"Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body."

A compliment, when received, can be that sweetness to our souls.

If accepting praise feels daunting, consider 'borrowing' the compliment. Let it settle in your heart for a moment, allowing it to affirm the truth it carries before passing it on to someone who may need it even more. Allow the compliment to dwell within you for a moment, acknowledging the truth it may hold. Then, pass it on. Compliment another woman who needs to hear it. In this way, the compliment becomes a gift that keeps on giving, empowering others along the way.

Just as love multiplies when shared, so does the power of a compliment. When you pass it on, you’re participating in a cycle of encouragement. Ephesians 4:29 encourages us,

"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."

By passing on a compliment, you build others up,

creating a ripple effect of positivity and grace.

Imagine a community of women who are constantly uplifting one another, where each word of affirmation is a stepping stone to greater confidence and self-worth.

This is the beauty of sisterhood, where our strength lies not just in our individual achievements but in our collective support for one another.

In Romans 12:10, we are urged to

"Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves".

By borrowing and passing on compliments, you’re participating in this divine call to honor each other, nurturing a culture of mutual respect and love.

Taking a compliment isn’t about vanity; it’s about recognizing the good that others see in you. It’s about humility—acknowledging that every good thing in us is a reflection of God’s grace. And when you pass that compliment on, you’re sharing that grace with someone else who might need it more.

So the next time you receive a compliment, don’t shy away. Take it, let it nourish your soul, and if you must, pass it on to someone else. In doing so, you’re not only lifting up another woman, but you’re also fulfilling the call to encourage and strengthen each other in love. As it says in 1 Thessalonians 5:11,

"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."

Let’s create a community where compliments are not just accepted, but multiplied—where every woman understands her worth, and each compliment becomes a seed of encouragement planted in the hearts of others.