Good Doggy

We can view self-esteem as a worldly way to give ourselves validity and merit. At its basic level, it’s not much different than me telling our dog, Ellie, “good dog.” At the animal instinct level, our esteem tells us whether we are good or bad based on what other people say to us, do to us, or don’t say and do. We put the power of our worth in the hands of others, just like Ellie does.
Self-help and self-awareness books have promoted our insatiable desire to have others give us value. While that does have its place and importance, it leaves the value of self (self-esteem) in the hands of others. Thus our emotional status tends to go up and down depending on how things are going around us.
Self-esteem, as we use it, is not compatible with Biblical teachings such as “dying to self,” “the first will be last,” and “serve others.” Unfortunately, self-esteem is all about self!! In contrast, the Biblical approach seeks for us to gain our value through spiritual character, rather than having others tells us and treat us like a “good doggy.”
Having a sense of value is important; but we have a choice to primarily garner our value either through strength of character or through the image we can create in the minds of others and ourselves… about ourselves. Pumping ourselves up with words is like pumping up a balloon; it’s full of hot air and hollow. In contrast, character is the solid foundation on which true spirituality is built. It’s good to remember that we choose to primarily live according to the principles of the world like Ellie does, or live according to the higher principles of the spirit. One bases its value on feelings; the other bases its value on character. What does that do to your self-esteem?!!