Why Is It Hard For Some People To Receive Gifts?

In “LIGHT” of the upcoming holiday seasons, I want to share with you, my friends, a few thoughts on giving and receiving.

The question I pose today is. Why is it more difficult for some of us to receive than to give?

So, think about this as I go along. What are some things we may give others? We can offer our time, physical help, financial help, mentor a new believer, kind and complimenting words, encouragement, maybe just our ear to listen, and gifts. I enjoy giving to others; I love to see the surprise and joy and smiles on their faces. I do so without any expectation of receiving anything in return. 

“ You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”

2 Corinthians 9:7 NLT

We are to serve God with Joy, not caring if anyone else notices. No matter what the “gift” was, it is from our heart to someone who may need a cheerful thought or action. It’s a part of serving God with humility and brings even more glory to God.

So, why is it difficult for us to receive?

Well, I have to be honest here. Sometimes, when someone gives me a gift or surprises me, I feel guilt at first. I feel as though I haven’t served others enough. I didn’t give or help to be recognized nor expect anything in return. But then I have to remind myself that I am serving God and sending all the glory to him. 

Reasons we may find receiving difficult.

• It may make us feel vulnerable.
• It can make us feel like we don’t deserve a gift.
• It may make us feel selfish, thinking others need something more than we do. ( This one is a big one for me).
• We may think, did the giver mean it, or do they have other motives?
• We may be listening to our voice in our head, running in the background attacking our inside “self,” or likewise our soul or our heart.
• Our receiving capabilities may be blocked or jammed. Maybe for some, a bad or haunting experience from the past creeps in.
• It may make us feel awkward to receive attention.

Let’s ponder the destructive side of our irrational thoughts and what can happen if we are poor receivers.

• It can be harmful to our relationships. 
• We take away the givers’ own experience of giving joy.
• It takes away the givers’ nurture towards us. After all, isn’t our giving nurturing others as well?

We can become better receivers by

• Be open to receiving.
• Receive gratefully, gracefully, and graciously. 

Meaning: Return a warm reception and offer sincere appreciation to the giver. Show dignity, esteem, and respect for the giver, no matter the gift. Be humble by recognizing and remembering that it was by another’s hand (not your own) that you received. (Ritchie Norton, 12/24/2017, medium.com) 

Are you a good receiver of gifts? Have you put up your own barriers? Tell me in the comment section below.

Lets Pray

Dear Heavenly Father,

I come before you today

to ask you to release my

heart from the bondage

I placed in it when someone

offers me a gift. Please help

me to accept their gift gratefully,

gracefully and graciously.

In Jesus\’ name,

Amen