Self-affirmation

Lining shelves in every bookstore we find books on self-esteem, self-affirmation, autonomy, and independence. At some point, we must stop and ask ourselves; Why do we care so much? Why are we so preoccupied with human worth?

Perhaps our obsession with self-esteem is nothing more than a massive worldwide defense mechanism used to protect us from what we all instinctively know - that we are sinners living in a world of sin! We have become so familiar with the defence mechanism that the alternative of admitting sin seems dismal and depressing. But could it be that we have it all backwards? Could it be that true freedom comes only after we have acknowledged our problem?

In religion we can experience grace despite our sinful nature. But today the defence mechanism - self-affirmation - has taken the place of religion. We now believe and stand up for ourselves and excuses even the worst behaviour. Are excuses as: natural instinct really valid for a human being?

I am not saying that self-esteem is a negative!

I just wish that I also could let go of trying to keep it all together always and humbly realise that I am after all just human - nothing more, nothing less


1 John 1:8-9
"If we say that we have no sin, we decieve ourselves, and the truth is not in us."