Others Were Not Made With More Special Dust |
By Grace Oji
How many times have you compared yourself with others and somehow believed they must have been created out of more special dust or that a rare type of blood runs through their veins? How many times have you believed that you didn't measure up to them, that no matter what you do they would always be many steps ahead of you, to the point you became laid back about putting your talents and ideas out there for the world to see?
Or maybe you've found yourself on the other side of the coin, where you have a supercilious view of yourself. And everyone else is second-rate compared to you, hardly do you find anyone who 'measures' up to you.
If any of the above descriptions are not so far from you, you might want to step back and rethink your beliefs about yourself. It's highly probable you've heard of overcoming low-self esteem and its vices and learning to see yourself in a positive light. You've also come across admonitions that speak against narcissism and haughtiness. Such advice is worth listening to combined with the ability to avoid misunderstanding and driving yourself to critical extremes. One extreme point is low self-esteem and the other is egotism.
It is often true that confusion usually finds a way to show up as people struggle to find a middle ground to lay hold of.
Self-Esteem For A Christian
As Christians, we know our faith covers everything about us. It touches every aspect of our lives leaving nothing out, our self-esteem included. A noteworthy point is that we are created beings upon whom our value has been bestowed by the One who has formed us. Only in Him do we understand our worth and learn to esteem ourselves accordingly.
In the light of The Scriptures, it is written that every man is born with a dark nature that tends to yield to sin, passed down from generation to generation, Romans 5:12 says, "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned."
Also, it records that there is none good among men in Psalms 14: 2-3 "The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one."
And we have a lasting solution spoken of in Romans 3: 22 "Even the righteousness of God which is by the faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference."
A constant theme in all these verses is the fact that all people are equal in value. Did the Bible say death passed upon all men, excluding none? Yes. Is it all men that are deemed not good and not a select few? Yes. The answer to man's vice is, is there a possibility for all men to receive it?
Yes.
This proves one thing, that we are all equal in value. Every man has a chance to live and to make choices whether right or wrong. Also that no man is born without a gift or a purpose. No man comes to earth as a first or second class being compared to others. If you deserve respect so does another. That's why Jesus taught us to love our neighbor as you love yourself. As much as low esteem of one's self should be avoided it's never leveraged to assume a superior view of yourself over others.
In other words, we are like the utensils of a regular kitchen, each one is different from the other yet not without a unique and vital role to play in culinary activities. Consequently, our self-esteem should be aligned with this truth, we are not second to others but we are different from them, and neither are we of a higher class like humans are to the animals. This should also affect the way we treat the people we have around us.
True Words For A Healthy Self-Esteem Psalms 139:14
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
Jeremiah 1:5
Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee, and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
Isaiah 43:7
Even everyone that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.
Isaiah 49:15-16
Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.
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