It seems odd that we would spend so much time being concerned about ourselves… Being preoccupied with getting our self-esteem in order is a giant sinkhole! How could I possibly know that? I lived in New Age circles for ten years prior to walking in God’s grace. I can tell you what a sinkhole looks like and my life was in a sinkhole!
I began each day reading affirmations about myself. I stood in front of a mirror with a big smile on my face reminding myself that I was a lovely person. I listened to the latest and greatest New Age gurus untangle the secrets of peace and contentment. I attended support groups and private therapy sessions and hung out with like-minded seekers of enlightenment. Chakra treatments, cleansing herbs, incense burning, mantra chanting, and meditation warmed my feelings and emotions. It was all about me feeling good about myself.
But one simple reality stumped my efforts, “For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake shall find it” Matthew 16:25. After reaching the pinnacle of self-effort, and then plummeting to greater levels of despair, God reached out to me with His grace.
“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me” Galatians 2:20. To know this truth, is to step out of the sinkhole…
It saddens me that there is so much marketing of the gospel of self-esteem in the Christian world today. Why? Do we need to feel good about our self before we can trust God? I used to think so. Listening closely to the humanistic chanting that has seeped into the church, it sounds as if the abundant life amounts to a healthy self-image.
If it’s true that our life is hid in Christ, then that reality supersedes all other earth-bound efforts that try to foster a healthy self-image. Our identity is found in Jesus–the truest thing about us is who He is. Why would we want to look elsewhere for our worth? A move from Royalty to beggar… Back into the sinkhole?
I pray the Lord stirs your heart as you listen to “Marketing Self-Esteem.” The audio file is listed under Listen To:
In Him,
Deb
This is excellent and true. How often I try to save myself when all I we need is Christ.
Thank you Deb.
In Him,
Nancy
Great insights! So many of the philosophies we are so quick to embrace are diametrically opposed to what we know to be true in God’s word. Those truths we find there are topsy turvy (or so it seems) such as: the weak are strong, the poor are rich, and the least are the greatest. Lord, empty me of all that is “self” and give me more of You!! Thanks Deb, keep on blogging!