Relating to Myself

 

Rom 12:3

 

3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

NKJV

   

How is your relationship? With yourself?  The relationship you have with yourself is one of the greatest examples of a love-hate relationship most of us will ever experience.  On the one hand, we hate ourselves, our short-comings and failings, and our weaknesses.  On the other hand, it seems we can be so self-focused that we expect others to make it all about us all of the time.  How can we resolve  these complex issues?

 

Finding the correct balance is important.   We should "love our neighbor as we love ourselves." (Mark 12:30-31) This indicates that a certain amount of self-love is important.  It is not a sign of humility to constantly talk bad about yourself.  We have to recognize that we are created in the image of God and for His glory.  We are to be "trees of righteousness, a planting for the display of his splendor." (Isa. 61:3)  Because of that, we must work to see ourselves through God's eyes- with purpose, value, and potential.

 

Even more dangerous, though, is a Christian who thinks more highly of themselves than they ought to.  Pride, boasting, bragging, and self-promoting are not flattering.  No one wants to be around the person who has all the answers, can "out-do" everyone else's accomplishments, and thinks that they have the corner-market on God.  Being in love with oneself is repulsive both to God and man.

 

We must not think more highly than we ought to... but we need to see ourselves higher than we sometimes do.  A sober and balanced self-assessment includes:  1) recognizing our weaknesses and asking God for grace to improve and 2) recognizing our strengths, while recalling that they are all His doing and gifting.

 

We cannot hold on to our past failings.  Self-loathing causes us to walk in defeat. C.S. Lewis once said it best, "Humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself  less." When we mess up, we must repent and once again return our focus to God.  It must be about Him.

 

Dear Lord, forgive me for the times I have loved myself too much, as well as  for the times I have hated myself.  Help me to have a balanced  relationship with myself, and a correct relationship with you.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.