For Times When You Feel Unseen, Unappreciated, and Uncelebrated - Encouragement for Today - July 14, 2026
For Times When You Feel Unseen, Unappreciated, and Uncelebrated
ELIZABETH LAING THOMPSON
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“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters …” Colossians 3:23 (NIV)
My daughter stared at her lacrosse statistics, dismayed. “These numbers can’t be right. I’m playing better than this.”
I squeezed her shoulder. “We know you’re playing great.”
She flashed me a look that said, Mom, you would think I played great if I napped on the field. (Valid.) “Maybe I shouldn’t care about statistics, but …” She swallowed the words: I really care.
I hugged her. “Someone else knows you’re playing well.”
“Who?” she asked.
“God.”
Sports were teaching my daughter a tough lesson: Sometimes stats get it wrong. Or they get it right, but they don’t tell the full story. Stats can’t record effort, growth, leadership, or heart. This was an opportunity for my girl to learn about drawing confidence and validation from God, not stats or recognition — about growing for growth’s sake and giving our best because we have integrity.
The truth is I needed that reminder too.
How many times have I longed for validation, credit, and thanks, then felt invisible, unappreciated, and even cheated when they didn’t come? In life, we don’t keep stats. There’s no “Finished All the Laundry” stat. There are no stats for “Showed Grace to a Difficult Person” or “Overcame Overwhelm Instead of Calling Out Sick.” No one’s handing out trophies or titles like, Congrats, you’re the MVP — Most Valuable Packer of Lunches!
Our greatest acts of love, service, and courage often happen quietly, behind closed doors, or in the sacred alone-space of our own hearts. Places where no one sees, knows, or offers thanks.
Those moments test our hearts, humility, and motivation. Why do we sacrifice, love, and give? The Apostle Paul offers an answer:
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:23-24, NIV).
Paul’s words were originally written to Christians who worked as domestic servants or were enslaved — people all too familiar with working hard while feeling unseen. Paul shared an empowering and redemptive perspective, calling them to give every effort to Jesus as a holy offering.
Everything we do is for an audience of one: a God who deserves our best. The Lord not only sees all, hears all, and knows all, but He treasures every sacrifice and celebrates every win.
When we stumble out of bed to comfort a sick child, God sees.
When we go the extra mile for a stranger, God notices.
When we lose sleep praying for a hurting friend, God hears.
When we release bitterness and finally forgive, God rejoices.
Wherever we give and grow — on the field, at school, at work, or at home — His heart swells with love.
And those are wins worth fighting for.
Dear Lord, thank You that no sacrifice goes wasted or unseen. Thank You for giving Your all for me! I want to give my all for You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
OUR FAVORITE THINGS
Elizabeth’s new devotional for female student athletes releases today! In Season is the ultimate playbook for faith and athletics, offering busy athletes everything they need to prioritize spiritual growth while balancing sports, academics, and relationships. To encourage the student athletes in your life, pick up a copy of In Season: A 90-Day Devotional for Female Student Athletes to Build Faith, Strengthen Confidence, and Train a Growth Mindset.
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FOR DEEPER STUDY
Colossians 3:17, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (NIV).
Matthew 10:40-42, “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward” (NIV).
In what areas of life do you tend to feel unseen or unappreciated? How do your mindset and motivation change when you dedicate your efforts to God instead of to people? Share your thoughts in the comments.
© 2026 by Elizabeth Laing Thompson. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org
