We have an important topic for today. It lies at the core of everything we are,
everything we believe, and everything we might hope to accomplish in the
future.
It is the subject of faith in self.
Do you see yourself as a worthy and
credible human being? Do you see that
you have skills, innate abilities unlike any other person, that you have your
own individual sound to your voice, your own finger prints, your own DNA? You are unlike every other person on earth
and for that reason, you are a unique human.
The topic of developing a wholesome
self-concept is a crucial one. What do
you believe about you?
A perfect illustration of this point is
found in an old Shoe cartoon strip.
Shoe, the somewhat grouchy news editor is the pitcher on the mound in a
company baseball game. He and his
catcher are in conference and the catcher says, “Shoe, you just have to have confidence in your curve ball.”
As the catcher walks away, Shoe is silently
saying, “That’s easy for him to say. When it comes to believing in me, I’m an
agnostic.”
Therein lays the problem. We don’t believe in self. We don’t accept ourselves as being valid, and
we don’t value self. Often, we resort to
the “poor me” syndrome and use self-defeating self-talk.
John Maxwell adds some insight.
“People
believe they will fail. If they see a
light at the end of the tunnel they believe it is a train. They see a difficulty in every
responsibility.”
What should we do about that?
Somewhere, somehow, we must find good and
accurate input to help shed light on our predicament. There are many fine books on self-esteem
development in bookstores, and there are some incredibly gifted therapist who
can guide us through the tricky maze of self-development and wholesome
self-image.
If I start naming books, for every book
named, there are dozens that are omitted only for space sake. Do some research and ask others who have a
handle on this aspect of life.
There are some wonderful aphorisms that
many find useful. They include thoughts
from the Bible as well as from other learned men and women.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens
me.”
“God is with me.”
“Nothing is impossible with God.”
“God loves me just like I am.”
“I am somebody.”
“I can.”
“I will.”
“I approve of myself.”
“I am a worthwhile human being.”
A personal story: I too have suffered with a lack of
self-faith. One day, not too many years
ago, I began using the phrase “I approve of myself.” I cannot begin to tell you the powerful effects
of this simple phrase. It worked for
me.
And now a word for those who have friends
and relatives who suffer with a lack of self-belief:
Most people do not have even one person to
whom they can turn who demonstrates faith and confidence in them. How can you demonstrate that one aspect to
your friend? Find one or two strengths
you can immediately see and point those out.
I heard of a derelict that once had
someone comment on how neatly his shoes were laced. The next day, he appeared in front of his
friend. He was cleaned up, shaved,
dressed and the transformation was remarkable.
When a person feels esteemed enough that
one other human being cares and believes in them, it can change his/her
life. How can we become the catalyst for
this kind of life transformation for someone else?
John Maxwell gives us this important insight:
“Your
job is not to get people to think more highly of you. Your job is to get them to think more highly
of themselves.”
Back to our original question: Got Faith in Self?
Ultimately it is an inside job, and often
that starts with some outside help.
Books
Counselors
Friends
Religious Faith
P Michael
Biggs
Offering
Hope
Encouragement
Inspiration
One Word
at a Time
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