The selfish part of low self-esteem…ouch….<3
I am enjoying catching up on my morning favorite reads and devotions and today I was blown away by the pages I covered in that book from my aunt’s library that I discovered this summer.
Walking Wisely by Charles Stanley and published in 2002, it is still relevant to today because 1. biblical truth and 2. human nature….don’t change.
In the chapter I am reading, he has written about eight benefits of wisdom.
#6 addresses the effects of godly wisdom on our self-image and I am thinking if this was an issue in a book published in 2002, than whatever we have been doing in the ensuing 17 years has not enhanced and helped us out of that black hole.
In the opening paragraph of this section he marvels at the number of books that are being published and the seminars being held on the topic of self-esteem.
Oh Charles…you had no idea that we would be adding blogs, Instagram stories, tweets, printed t-shirts and coffee mugs and billboards by 2019.
But have we moved any closer to the truth that unless we find our identity in Christ alone we will always face a big void in this?
No.
Have we grown any closer to just embracing the truth of the Proverbs 8 passage he uses to anchor this section of his book…
“Now therefore, listen to me, my children, for blessed are those who keep my ways. Hear (listen and obey*) instructions and be wise, and do not disdain it. Blessed is the man (and woman*) who listens to me (obeys*), watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the LORD.” Proverbs 8: 32-35
*indicates my additional paraphrase added to verse
And who is this “me” that we are to seek and listen to and keep the ways of?
Godly wisdom….found in the pages of Scripture and prayerfully asking the Spirit to lead us into understanding as we read and ponder what is written and then obediently look for ways to apply truth to our daily lives.
And how would this help with the self-esteem issues that plaque us?
Charles Stanley writes:
“If you genuinely believe that God desires to bless you and that He approves of you and loves you unconditionally, you must ask yourself, ‘On what is my poor self-image based?’ You’re going to have to draw your own conclusions – your poor self-image comes from lies of the enemy or lies from other people. And you must take responsibility for the fact that you have bought into those lies and continue to accept them as truth.”
Walking Wisely, Charles F. Stanley; 2002 Thomas Nelson Publishers page 59
How do we apply this in a practical way in 2019 – a way that we all at various points can relate to?
If I base my self-worth and value as a human being on how everyone else around me is doing that is better or worse than how I am doing it….(whether it is based on what I know to be true or am perceiving to be true), then I am buying into a lie.
I am using other people as a measuring stick for my value.
And reading an empowering post of a quote that tells me something good about myself is only going to carry me about as far as the next post that shows someone doing life better than me and then I am back to ground zero.
Instead, Charles Stanley offers us a dose of truth to get into our bones and gut and heart so that we know who we are before we ever head out into the day.
“The person who seeks godly wisdom comes to believe, ‘I am blessed by God. God loves me and approves of me. I am saved by the blood of Jesus Christ, filled with God’s Spirit, and on the basis of what Jesus has done for me and the Holy Spirit continues to do in me, I have favor from God. All of God’s promises pertain to me. All of the talents that God has built into my life are worthy to be developed and used. God has a plan for my life and it is unfolding. God is refining me, preparing me, and molding me into the likeness of Christ Jesus. I belong to Him forever, and He is my loving Father who is continually seeking my good.’”
Walking Wisely, Charles F. Stanley; 2002 Thomas Nelson Publishers page 60
I have read that over and over this morning and every time I feel His love and care for me pouring over me.
Believing this to my core will change how I see my own self-worth and then will affect how I treat others.
If I believe this about myself, then I can love and care for others more effectively because I am not threatened by how I am received. Whether I am cherished or cast off matters not if I know where my value is found.
Such a good word!
Bless you as you go about your day choosing to believe the truth about you instead of the lies that would derail you!