The regard with which we view ourselves is called our self-esteem. It is our mental self-perception. We develop this perception throughout our lives as it springs from our nature, is cultivated by our nurture, and fleshed out and expressed in our experiences. Self-esteem is tied to our sense of belonging, our sense of worth, and sense of accomplishment.
Our problem is that sin affects every part of our being including our mental perceptions. The result is a distorted, false view of ourselves, others, and God. And since self-esteem often drives our behaviour, a distorted viewpoint will lead to sinful actions.
God's answer to our problem is to provide His Word for truth and knowledge about Himself and His actions toward us. His Word also provides us with truth and knowledge about who we are. Our new self-perception begins with a new birth into a new family. We are a new creation in Christ with a new identity. We are given a new mind—the mind of Christ—so we can see God as He is and see ourselves in proper relation to Him. At the heart of a proper self-esteem is a proper recognition of this new position in Christ. The Spirit of God in us teaches us the truth of who we are in Christ as we grow in the knowledge of God's Word. In learning these truths we can then go on to behave in a way consistent with who we are.
In our image-conscious society, there is an enormous emphasis placed on appearing to be someone you’re not. Playing such a role is not just inauthentic; it also encourages us to keep others at a distance.
Your child needs you to help know who he is. Parents, spend more time affirming and encouraging your child for what he does right than for disciplining and correcting for what he does wrong. Children get security from their parents to know who they are, to like who they are, and to be who they are.
When self-esteem is missing from our lives we erect defences, wear masks, or become clowns. But when we have self-esteem we are able to love, give of ourselves, and pull the best out of others.
Want a confident family? Focus on building into each other a sense of worth and value. Chuck Swindoll shares one way his family builds into each other when words just aren't enough.
God makes some people large, others moderate in stature. Still others are small in size. We frequently make the mistake of calling small folks “little,” but that is an unfortunate and unfair tag. I’m not picking at terms...there is a great deal of difference between being small and being little.
When we’re reproved we feel defensive. We want to protect ourselves. But what if instead we committed ourselves to becoming like Christ? When conformity to Christ becomes our goal we welcome reproof.
Paul boasted—at least until he met the Lord on a dusty road to Damascus. After that, all of his achievements he considered as “rubbish.”
Standing alone is tough. It’s easier to fit in, to be a people-pleaser. Look at your home, your work, your relationships and ask yourself, “Am I any different from the world?”
It’s easy to be impressed with ourselves, isn’t it? We become enamoured with our positions and authority and we forget it is all given to us from the Saviour. Everything we have is on loan from Him.
It’s easy to compare ourselves to others—but there’s no reason to! God made each of us unique and to Him we are works of art.
Sign up to receive Chuck Swindoll’s Daily Devotional in your inbox seven days per week.
Insight for Living is committed to excellence in communicating the truths of Scripture and the Person of Jesus Christ in an accurate, clear, and practical manner so that people will come to an understanding of God’s plan for their lives, as well as their significant role as authentic Christians in a needy, hostile, and desperate world.
1-30445 Progressive Way • Abbotsford, BC • V2T 6W3
info@insightforliving.ca
1.800.663.7639