One of the strongholds of co-dependency is an unhealthy self-preoccupation.
Although we cannot imagine our lives ever bearing the poisonous fruit of pride. We can recognize the small seeds buried deeply in the soil of our human hearts. If these seeds are watered by enough pride, ambition and prejudice, could grow into something appaling. We can become so self-asorbed and self-convinced to realize that we have become someone we can’t stand. We obviously have become eager for our own honor.
We can think about ourselves so much that we begin to assume others are thinking about us as well. Riding the fickle waves of opinion, we can be full of ourselves one week and down on ourselves the next week.
We don’t have to think highly of ourselves to think obsessively of ourselves. Continually thinking others are talking about us, positively or negatively is an unhealthy self-preoccupation. Becoming self-consumed and chronically self-conscious only traps us deeper in a prison of presumption.
“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”
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
We can develop a ravenous appetite for honor even if we try to keep it hidden. I’m talking to myself here dear ones realizing that one of my struggles is working to break free from an addiction to honor.
What I need is to renew my mind with the following scriptures to suppress these bouts for craving honor. I pray, if this is your struggle that these scriptures will help you as well.
Matthew 23:6 (NIV)
They love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues;
John 4:44 (NIV)
(Now Jesus himself had pointed out that a prophet has no honor in his own country.)
Romans 12:10 (NIV)
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Psalm 62:7 (NIV)
My salvation and my honor depend on God;he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Sooner or later our pride makes a fool of us, robbing us of the very thing we intended to receive. I have been one of those who were first in line.
Presumption = a belief that something is true even though it has not been proved – an attitude or belief dictated by probability.
Entitlement = the thought or feeling that something that one is entitled to
Reference: Esther by Beth Moore – It’s Tough Being a Woman – Week Six – “What Goes Around” Day Two – “Who More Than Me”