Psychologists at several American universities studying the differences between Western and Asian cultures have documented the unfortunate impact of “individualism” in the United States – which is, in short, that Americans are extraordinarily self-centered and their ability to empathize with others has greatly diminished. An example cited by researchers is telling: A Texas corporation aiming to improve productivity instructed its employees to look in the mirror and say, “I am beautiful” 100 times before coming to work. In contrast, a Japanese supermarket instructed its employees to tell each other, “You are beautiful.”

Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.

Proverbs 27:2

When you are focused only on praising yourself, you will be blind to what others have done for you – your family, America’s founders, military veterans and their families who sacrificed for your freedom and, most importantly, God. You will also become thoroughly unlikeable.

Whatever there is about you that is worthy of praise is a gift from God anyway, so don’t boast! Then pray that your leaders will govern with humility and that they may elevate the needs and best interests of the nation above their own, recognizing that all praise for America’s blessings belong to the Lord.

Recommended Reading: Psalm 25:1-10