What Others See

[birdelljerome]

In so many societies, a persons worth is determined by their talents, gifts, appearance, and so forth. We do look at outward appearance, as seen in 1 Sam. 16:7; after all, thats all we can see. Thus, our concept of self often is shaped by the reaction others display, based on their outward observation of us. If everyone tells you that you are pretty, you will be more likely to view yourself as pretty. "But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

But there always is much more to each of us than meets the eye. Individuals experiencing poor self-esteem need to think in terms of personal traits or attributes that are of true value and not necessarily what the world values, because so often what the world values is of no value to God. What are the things that your society and culture place so much value on? How important do you think those things are to God?

There may be exceptions, but most societies tend to place excessive value in outward, observable features. However, other traits, such as honesty, kindness, temperance, or firm commitment to principles and ideals, tend to occupy secondary places.

How does gender/class/nationality prejudice affect people's self-esteem? What should be the Christian's aim in terms of prejudice and discrimination? Gal. 3:28. "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."The effects of prejudice are devastating on self-esteem and performance. As Christians, we should be making a concentrated effort to uplift and encourage others, regardless of their background.

In 2 Samuel 9, there is the story of Mephibosheth, who could have been the target of retaliation by David. No wonder he showed fear, fell on his face to the ground, and called himself "a dead dog." He was also crippled. There is no doubt that the restoration of the family property, the reassignment of servants, and the honors granted brought to Mephibosheth an extra measure of self-worth. The influence that people have on others self-esteem is extremely powerful. More than we realize, we have the ability to shape others self-concept through words, actions, and even how we look at them.

2 Samuel 9 David and Mephibosheth "David asked, "Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathans sake?" Now there was a servant of Sauls household named Ziba. They summoned him to appear before David, and the king said to him, "Are you Ziba?" "At your service," he replied. The king asked, "Is there no one still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show Gods kindness?" Ziba answered the king, "There is still a son of Jonathan; he is lame in both feet." "Where is he?" the king asked. Ziba answered, "He is at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar." So King David had him brought from Lo Debar, from the house of Makir son of Ammiel. When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor. David said, "Mephibosheth!" "At your service," he replied. "Dont be afraid," David said to him, "for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table." Mephibosheth bowed down and said, "What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?" Then the king summoned Ziba, Sauls steward, and said to him, "I have given your masters grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family. You and your sons and your servants are to farm the land for him and bring in the crops, so that your masters grandson may be provided for. And Mephibosheth, grandson of your master, will always eat at my table." (Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.) Then Ziba said to the king, "Your servant will do whatever my lord the king commands his servant to do." So Mephibosheth ate at Davids table like one of the kings sons. Mephibosheth had a young son named Mika, and all the members of Zibas household were servants of Mephibosheth. 13 And Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the kings table; he was lame in both feet."How careful, or careless, are you with how you impact the self-esteem of others? Think about your closest relationships. How can you help build up these people as opposed to tearing them down?

Reproduced by Permission of http://www.ssnet.org/

[Flyer99]

These posts would be better off in the section:

Spirituality for Anxiety & Depression

http://forum.stresscenter.com/viewforum.php?f=498

Thanks.