Self Image by Dr. D. James Kennedy
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be given to you. —Matthew 6:33
There are many people who begin life with a very poor self-image. They are helped along the way by others who criticize them, ignore them, make fun of them, pooh-pooh their ideas, and contribute to their general feeling that they really have nothing to offer, that they are not worthwhile, that nobody wants to hear what they have to say, and certainly that no one could care how they feel. Therefore, they withhold all of these things and the result is a breakdown in communication as well as in their own self-esteem.
Do you help contribute to a poor self-image in your spouse or in those
around you? Many men do so by continually putting their wives down, by
being sarcastic and not interested in their ideas. They may find
themselves increasingly living in a lonely world and losing out on a
great deal. Do you treat your wife that way? There are women, of course,
who do the same thing. They enjoy putting their husbands down. They try
to lord it over them and belittle them as a way of asserting their own
will over the every thought and action of their husbands.
I believe that if we seek God’s kingdom first and His righteousness, then all things shall be added to us. Included in that list is a healthy self-image. I am uncomfortable with an unhealthy emphasis on self-image. As we love God and our neighbor as ourselves, a healthy self-image tends to emerge, because we are made in His image.
Can you think of anything you can do to build up anyone around you?
In looking over Dr. Kennedy's words, we see his concern for our interaction with other adults, but it is also extremely important that we keep in mind the importance of building a good self-image in children.
Oh, yes, Bill Gates was right when he said that young people should actually accomplish something before they feel good about themselves, but it is important that we help them to realize their potential for accomplishment.
We should encourage them to employ their gifts as readers and as problem solvers. We should encourage them to 'think outside the box,' to be innovative and creative.
There has always been a 'can-do spirit' in America and we as parents and grandparents and teachers who love our youngsters, should be continually encouraging them to be risk takers and adventure seekers; to be adventurers who use their God-given abilities to their own and to society's optimum advantage.
I believe that if we seek God’s kingdom first and His righteousness, then all things shall be added to us. Included in that list is a healthy self-image. I am uncomfortable with an unhealthy emphasis on self-image. As we love God and our neighbor as ourselves, a healthy self-image tends to emerge, because we are made in His image.
Can you think of anything you can do to build up anyone around you?
In looking over Dr. Kennedy's words, we see his concern for our interaction with other adults, but it is also extremely important that we keep in mind the importance of building a good self-image in children.
Oh, yes, Bill Gates was right when he said that young people should actually accomplish something before they feel good about themselves, but it is important that we help them to realize their potential for accomplishment.
We should encourage them to employ their gifts as readers and as problem solvers. We should encourage them to 'think outside the box,' to be innovative and creative.
There has always been a 'can-do spirit' in America and we as parents and grandparents and teachers who love our youngsters, should be continually encouraging them to be risk takers and adventure seekers; to be adventurers who use their God-given abilities to their own and to society's optimum advantage.
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