“Over the years, I have come to realize that the greatest trap in our life is not success, popularity, or power, but self-rejection. Success, popularity, and power can indeed present a great temptation, but their seductive quality often comes from the way they are part of the much larger temptation to self-rejection.
When we have come to believe in the voices that call us worthless and unlovable, then success, popularity, and power are easily perceived as attractive solutions. The real trap, however, is self-rejection. As soon as someone accuses me or criticizes me, as soon as I am rejected, left alone, or abandoned, I find myself thinking, "Well, that proves once again that I am a nobody." ... [My dark side says,] I am no good... I deserve to be pushed aside, forgotten, rejected, and abandoned. Self-rejection is the greatest enemy of the spiritual life because it contradicts the sacred voice that calls us the "Beloved." Being the Beloved constitutes the core truth of our existence.” - Henri J.M. Nouwen
The devotional and picture of my favorite birds, parakeets, are ideal for this post. And sadly represents fully what the author shares above and what I and countless thousands still feel many times and have to battle daily about our self worth.
Wow, powerful.
ReplyDeleteI too struggle with this dear friend...thanks for sharing. I so wish I could learn NOT to be so concerned about what others think,but God is so faithful still. He always has been,and always will be Blessings!
ReplyDeleteWhen we switch our eyes off of our self worth and onto Jesus' worth then over coming this hurdle becomes easier. For Scripture tells us that Romans 3:10-12 As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”
ReplyDeleteIn Jesus Christ we become righteous and worthy. It is Him that does it, His work on the cross. When we take our eyes off of self and place them onto Jesus then this walk with feeling worthless becomes become null and void because He is worthy and we are sanctified in Him and His shed blood washes us clean and makes us pure.
You are so correct in saying that many people suffer from this. It is has been a long, hard journey for me in this area and I am just sharing what I have learned.
Blessings hon,
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Isn't this the truth! Thanks for the insightful words from Henri Nouwen. We have to remember that we are the "beloved" of God and let that truth drown out all the false voices.
ReplyDeleteHugs!
So true.
ReplyDeleteI go through this so much. I feel like no one cares about me or understands me. I've always had low self esteem and I don't know why. The Lord always tells me, "Ashley, stop condemning yourself..." or "stop putting my wife down!"
ReplyDeleteWe are all bruised, we thought bruising is the way, but all in all it's not.
When people hurt us, we expect to be hurt. I ask Jesus if He will punish me for little things and He gets hurt when I say that, but I've always just been hurt.
Hugs JBR ♥
This is just what I struggle with almost on a daily basis: thinking I must be unlovable when I am rejected by other humans. Wondering if God rejects me based on faulty vision of others. It makes no sense, and yet I question my worth. Bless you :-)
ReplyDeleteIt is sad that so many including you feel this way and struggle with their self worth. You are indeed lovable and worthy whether you can accept it or not. Hugs to you, JBR.
ReplyDeleteYou are always lovable lady!! Oh, how the enemy wants us to think differently! It has been an all out assault for years, but no more. We are going to rise, recognizing that we are wonderfully made...perfect in the eyes of our Lord...beautiful to the One who really matters and deaf to the lies of the enemy. Many blessings Grace!
ReplyDeleteI've had a life full of self-rejection, but by the grace of God I am overcoming. God bless you as you and God fight this together.
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