In thinking about self-esteem over the past couple of days, a phrase that keeps popping into my head is 'think of yourself with sober judgement', which comes from Romans 12:3.
I think this sheds light on how we are to view ourselves-- not too highly, but not too lowly. 'Sober' suggests a realistic look at ourselves, unclouded by emotion. Free of the self doubt that says anything we do is not good enough, and free of arrogance that says what we do is magnificent.
The verse goes on to say 'in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you'. We are not hopeless, because what we have is given by God. So our gifts are good, and are special. But we have no right to arrogance for the exact same reason-- what we have is given by God. You can't boast about something that was given to you.
Huldra Forsvant (Theodor Kittelsen)
Huldra Forsvant (Theodor Kittelsen)
1 comment:
This was very helpful, thank you. The Lord has also put this phrase into my mind, sober judgment. This is what led me to your blog. He is saying to me to look at things realistically, taking inventory, and to make sober, realistic, judgments. My decisions have not been sober but based on fantasy so thank you.
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