Counsels on Self-Identity

Counsel #25 — Me-Me-Me

Picture: Counsel #25 — Me-Me-Me CI 183.1

It’s easy to think that people with low self-esteem are humble. After all, they don’t brag or draw attention to themselves. Even so, here’s the twist: constantly putting yourself down isn’t always humility. It can actually be a quiet form of pride. Why? Because it still keeps you at the center. CI 183.2

When your inner voice is always saying, “I’m not good enough,” or “I’ll never get it right,” it becomes hard to think about anything else. That self-focus can show up in subtle ways, like fishing for reassurance, avoiding new challenges so you won’t fail, or trying to control how people see you by appearing a certain way. Sometimes, we can use our insecurities as shields to avoid responsibility or connection. Doing these things still makes everything about us, just not in the most common or expected way. True humility is about moving your gaze from your weaknesses to God’s strength. When Christ lives at the center of our focus, we’re free to try and we don’t worry about other people’s perception of our failures because we know and understand it’s not about us; only God is perfect.^[199] CI 183.3

“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” Romans 12:3 NIV CI 183.4

“Sin originated in self-seeking.” Ellen White in Reflecting Christ, p. 23 CI 183.5

Reflect: Are your thoughts centered on Christ or yourself? CI 183.6