Self Esteem

I've noticed a trend lately...

There is such huge focus on making us feel good about ourselves these days.  Everywhere I turn I see stuff like this

Believe in yourself.  You are amazing.  You are beautiful.  Songs like this are hugely popular.



I know the answer to her question!  Who says you're not perfect?  Jesus does.  That's why it was necessary to die for us.  HE is perfect.  Not me.  See... this is the root of our self esteem issues.  They revolve around SELF.

And we wonder why kids are spoiled and entitled these days.  No one will love you if you don't love yourself?  How about "If everyone focused their attention on loving others the way Jesus does, we wouldn't have any time left over to worry about ourselves.  And, in the meantime, everyone else would be loving us while we're loving others.  Problem solved"

Now I know there is a real problem with bullying.  I'm not minimizing it.  I'm just pointing out the fact that if we place our self worth in what other people think of us... we don't stand a chance.  And we are the only ones that are fully aware of how sinful we are in our own hearts, so how can we place our self worth in what we think of ourselves?  When we say "I'm perfect just the way I am" not only do we know we are lying to ourselves, but we are stating that there is no room for improvement.  There is always room for improvement ya know?  So what is the answer?  Understanding how Jesus sees us is the answer.  He sees our filth, sin, pride, and still loves us.  We are covered by His perfect blood.  Instead of deluding our kids into telling themselves they are perfect as they are, lets teach them humility and help them to see that their perfection is found in Jesus.

Sending kids messages like this not only sets them up for disappointment, but feeds pride.  Not only are you great... but you are BETTER than those around you?  No.  We are made perfect in Him.  We are equal in His eyes.  Job 34:18-19 "Is he not the One who says to kings, 'You are worthless,' and to nobles, 'You are wicked,' who shows no partiality to princes and does not favor the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of his hands?"


If we must label ourselves, instead of choosing words like these:
beautiful
smart
clever
special
Lets instead focus on words like these.

Instead of wearing shirts that say this

we need shirts that say "HE loves me".

So I propose the following cure for our society's lack of self esteem:

Bottom line:
Spend more time caring about others than worrying about ourselves.