What is the difference between humility and low self-esteem?
Born and raised as a Christian, there was always a strong emphasis on humility. I recall vividly what I thought about humility when I was in school. I was an A student who was near the top of my class. But I was determined to be "humble," so if I didn't get 100%, I'd downplay my accomplishments and tell myself, "You can do it better." I decided to push for perfection, believing I wasn't good enough until I achieved it, and I actually did a lot of damage to my sense of self-worth without realizing it, resulting in low self-esteem.
Everything was done in the name of "humility." I did well in school, but I spent a lot of time alone around of class, often feeling invisible among my peers and looking up to those who were "popular" and seemed so confident. It's not about feeling insignificant.
It's not about feeling insignificant.
A sense of worthlessness characterizes low self-esteem. When I was in my teens, I remember reading Romans 7:18, "For I know that nothing good dwells in me (that is, in my flesh)...." At the time, I thought it was a good reason to record my accomplishments. But as I began to understand what true humility is, I realized what Paul was saying. "Nothing good dwells in my flesh," he says. That doesn't mean I'm a bad person; it just means that I have sinful tendencies.
Honor does not involve feeling miserable. What it does mean is that I have complete faith in God and His abilities, rather than being limited by my own abilities or disabilities. Giving up my own will and ideas when I see they are tainted by my sinful nature and instead carrying out His will. He is Almighty, and He can provide me with everything I need to do that! I recognize that my sinful nature contains nothing good, but I also have faith and confidence that God is capable of transforming me!
What God is capable of doing in my life
That whenever a participant has low in self, they are often afraid to be heard. They constantly compare themselves to others and assume that they are inferior to those around them. They require constant reassurance and must concentrate on themselves and their flaws. By succumbing to these thoughts, they fail to consider what God can do in their lives.
So if I'm truly humble, I acknowledge that humility does not imply that I am useless, but rather that the gifts and talents I do have are from God and are nothing to brag about. Psalm 139 says that God has prepared works for me to do, appears to be working that no one else can do. The dilemma should be whether I find these tasks and use the resources God has given me to complete them. Then I can honor Him in everything I do. I can be confident and at ease regardless of whether the tasks I have are visible to others or completely hidden.
When I obey God, I have always had the confidence to serve others in the best way possible, even if they don't always understand what I'm doing. If I listen to God's voice and seek His will, I can gain wisdom in my situations and be free to do what is best for myself and other people without fear.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0