If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.

Galatians 6:3

The cat’s pajamas. The bee’s knees. All that and a bag of chips. Take a good look at yourself. You’re AWESOME! No really, I mean it. You have got a lot going on. Color me impressed. And I hope you can summon up some self-confidence to believe that about yourself. Because it’s true.

However…

This one goes out to those folks who think they’re perfect, or darn near it. If you think you’re not just good, but the best about all manner of things, you may be, as the scripture warns us, deceiving yourself. People who do this can be narcissists, with an unhealthy image of themselves, or they could be people with low self-esteem, who work extra hard to project some sort of unrealistic version of themselves.

Remember the passage, “everyone who exalts themselves will be humbled?” Yeah, that’s what we’re talking about. If you puff yourself up, trying to convince others you’re the best looking, funniest, most talented person you know, you may be inadvertently making a fool of yourself.

So how do you know? How do you know how much esteem is good and helpful, and when you’ve overdone it? It’s great to be proud of yourself, but not great to let it go to your head. It’s awesome to excel at something, but unhealthy to think you’re beyond compare. It’s a fine line.

You know when football players point to the heavens after making a spectacular play? I used to hate that because it seemed a bit much to think God was busy arranging the outcome of football games. But as I’ve thought about it, I kind of like those moments when a player gives credit where credit is due. Yes, they just did something awesome, but they didn’t do it alone.

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:13

I think that’s the difference between a healthy ego and an unhealthy one. A person with healthy self-esteem can celebrate accomplishments and can humbly credit God’s role in helping you be the person you are today. If God’s in the mix, chances are you won’t take it too far, or heap to much unwarranted praise upon yourself.

If you have a problem with this — stop kidding yourself. You don’t need to be a legend in your own mind to make it in this world. Instead, you need to seek Christ’s mind to co-mingle with yours. When you do that, look out! Amazing things can happen.

You’re awesome. You truly are. But not for shallow things like looks and talents and charming personality. I mean, those things can contribute, but what makes you really special is that God made you, and God loves you just the way you are. And God is with you, helping you become who you are called to be.

The next time you feel the desire to hold up a finger and shout “I’m number one”, take a good look at where that finger is pointing.

God is the root of your awesomeness…

And that’s no joke.

Have a great week,

Mitch