The “gospel of self-esteem” is different than “the gospel of self-respect.” The latter is from the Lord; the former can be a snare.
Both are mentioned in Romans 12:3 where the inspired apostle pleads with us: “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.” In other words, be careful: don’t give yourself an overdose of “self-esteem” thinking! Thank God for “the grace” that was given to “our beloved brother Paul” (2 Tim. 316). He will discourage no one; all he knows how to do is to encourage people like you and me.
So, on the other hand, he says don’t dig a hole and crawl into it: you’re worth an infinite price. Paul goes on to preach to us now the gospel of self-respect: but “through the grace given to me, [I say] to everyone that is among you, ... think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure [metron, Greek] of faith.” One humble servant has spent over ninety years “in school” seeking to learn how to “think soberly” about himself. Still seeking to learn but thankful for whatever “measure” of sobriety the Lord grants.
A good place to start learning is Psalm 139:
(a) Your heavenly Father knows you in and out (but still loves you, amazing! (vss. 1-6).
(b) He “formed [your] inward parts ... in [your] mother’s womb” (vss. 13-15). That means He engineered the intricate mechanisms of your conscious and unconscious mental functions, the interplay of your emotions and senses of heart-appreciation.
(c) He put you together from a divinely-invented Blueprint (vs. 16). No one else on earth was to be or has been exactly like you. You are something special; that’s good.
(d) Run away from Him today and you’re back in His school tomorrow (vss. 7-10).
(e) Your moments of deepest depression (I wish Abraham Lincoln could have listened to this Good News!) are not dark with despair; your heavenly Father’s “hand” is on you in your darkness where faith is still working (vss. 9-12).
(f) It does you worlds of good to know that a friend is just thinking of you, remembering you, in your hour of deep personal trial. Think of your heavenly Father—thinking a thousand thoughts about you, all of them full of grace (vss. 17, 18).
(g) Now, be happy: stop being afraid to let Him search your heart (vss. 23, 24).
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
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