It's Here!

Yeah! My Identity in Christ book and my Spiritual Warfare books arrived yesterday!

I had a chance to read a little last night and here's what 'struck' me.

Charles Stanley writes "If we have a faulty self-image - which is having any self-image other than what God says about us - we behave in a way that is contrary to God's highest purposes and plan for our lives."

Stanley continues to explain about both low self-esteem and high self-esteem. Both are wrong and dangerous. Whether our view of ourselves is too high or too low, we risk the Error of Comparison. We are comparing ourselves to others. God never asks us to do that. We are unique, and created just the way God wants us to be. He has a perfect will for our lives and it is by being who we are that we are able to fulfill the purposes he has for us. The other risk in comparing ourselves to others is that we can put ourselves down or put others down in our minds. God never intended for that either.

Romans 12:3 tells us "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you."

What this means is that we are to have an accurate estimation of ourselves. It means that if we do something well, we do it well. We know our gifts and abilities come from God and should be thankful for all that he put into us. We also know what weaknesses we have and acknowledge them, not hide them. Too much humility can be trite or even self-seeking of sympathy. We are called to have an accurate view of ourselves.

What's been important to me in the beginning stages of this journey, is that if someone asks you to be someone you're not, don't do it. It's good to get feedback on how others view you, but how they view you is their choice. You have no obligation to be anyone other than who God created you to be. Some people will like you and be drawn to spend time with you, others will loathe you. AND THAT'S OKAY. You can't be all things to all people and should never try to be. You are responsible and called to love everyone. If some people won't receive that love, again, that's their choice. Maybe they're dealing with identity issues themselves.

Can't wait to see what tomorrow reveals!