Okay, here we go.
To God be the glory has been wrecking me lately, and I mean that in the best, most uncomfortable way possible. Like, three weeks ago I’m standing in my kitchen in sock feet, burnt toast smoking in the toaster, and I actually yelled out loud, “To God be the glory!” because my kid finally pooped in the potty after 47 days of me googling “toddler constipation remedies” at 2 a.m. It was ridiculous. I smelled like Desitin and stale coffee and I was crying over a successful bowel movement, but man, that felt like the biggest triumph of 2025 so far.
Why “To God Be the Glory” Used to Make Me Roll My Eyes
Real talk: I grew up in churches where people threw that phrase around like confetti, usually right after they bragged for twenty minutes. “I closed on the lake house today, to God be the glory!” Cool, Chad, did God also co-sign the mortgage? I’d sit there smiling through my teeth, secretly thinking, “Nah, that was that really God or just your trust fund?” Super spiritual of me, I know.
So for years I avoided the whole “to God be the thing because it felt fake. I’d post my little wins on Instagram with humble-brag captions like “Grateful for this opportunity 🙏🏼” while conveniently leaving out the fact I’d clawed my way there with anxiety and Red Bull. Hypocrite? 100%. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/give-god-glory/
The Chili Cook-Off That Broke Me To God Be the Glory
Fast-forward to October. Our church does this stupid (affectionate) chili cook-off every fall. I entered on a whim because I make a mean smoked brisket chili and, fine, my pride was bored. Y’all. I won third place. Third. Got a dinky plastic trophy smaller than my coffee mug and a $10 Whataburger gift card.
And I was LIVID. To God Be the
I smiled for the pictures, but inside I was fumed the whole way home. Third place? After I stayed up till 1 a.m. smoking that brisket? I ranted to my husband for a solid thirty minutes in the car. Then, because apparently the Holy Spirit has zero chill, the old hymn popped into my head: “To God be the great things He hath done…”
I lost it. Started ugly-crying in the Chick-fil-A drive-thru because I realized I didn’t actually want to give God the I wanted the glory. All of it. Even the stupid chili glory. https://www.gotquestions.org/glory-of-God.html
Finding Joy in Triumph When It’s Not Really “Mine To God Be the Glory
Here’s what’s been messing me up lately: the more I actually try to hand the credit upward, the freer I feel. Like:
- My toddler says “I love you Mommy” unprompted? To God be the glory, because I definitely didn’t teach him manners.
- I hit a freelance deadline while battling a migraine? To God be the glory, not my stubbornness and Excedrin.
- That random $47 Venmo from a friend “just because”? Straight-up to God be the
It’s weirdly addictive. The triumphs still feel good, sometimes better, but the pressure’s off. I’m not performing for applause anymore. I’m just a hot mess who keeps getting rescued. https://www.blueletterbible.org/hymns/t/to_god_be_the_glory.cfm
Practical(ish) Ways I’m Trying to Live This Out To God Be the Glory
- I started a “To God be the glory” note on my phone. Every time something good happens (big or dumb), I write it down and literally type “TGbtG” next to it. Looks chaotic, works though.
- When someone compliments me now, I try (keyword: try) to say “I’m glad God used it!” instead of “Thanks, I worked really hard.” Still awkward, but getting there.
- I pray the most dangerous prayer: “Let me lose if winning would make me proud.” I hate that prayer. Zero out of ten, do not recommend, yet here we are.
Look, I’m still the girl who cried over third-place chili. Probably always will be. But slowly, awkwardly, I’m learning that joy in every triumph tastes sweeter when I stop licking my own fingers and just hand the spoon to Jesus.
Your turn, what’s one triumph (even a tiny one) you need to quit clutching and just say “to God be the glory” over? Drop it in the comments. I read every single one while stress-eating Whataburger, promise.
Catch you next time,
Your fellow recovering glory-hogger in Texas To God Be the Glory☕
