"Any success I've had is because I was good at politics, not competent at the actual work."
How it sounds in your head: You know how to manage up, network, position yourself favorably. But if success were based purely on skill, you'd have been passed over. You're a politician, not a craftsman.
"A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men."
-- Proverbs 18:16Enemy accusation plus comparison trap—dismissing relational wisdom as manipulation instead of legitimate gifting.
He's watched technically superior people get overlooked while he advanced. He attributes his success to soft skills (politics) and discounts them as less legitimate than hard skills.
God gave Daniel knowledge and skill, plus favor with officials. He was ten times better than all magicians—combination of competence AND favor, both from God.
I REFUSE the lie that relational skills are illegitimate. IT IS WRITTEN that my GIFT makes room for me—and God gave me wisdom to navigate relationships. This is divine design, not political manipulation. I honor both the technical and the relational as FROM Him. IT IS WRITTEN in Ecclesiastes 10:10—wisdom brings success. I am blessed with the BARAK—favor with God AND man, supernatural influence in every sphere.
The Father didn't make you a technician OR a politician—He made you BOTH. Your ability to build bridges is as divine as your ability to solve problems. Stop discounting His gifts.