Counsel #1 — Positive Self-Image — Is It Christian?

Picture: Counsel #1 — Positive Self-Image — Is It Christian?CMH 67.1

Having to navigate the sea of conflicting lifestyle choices that are out there in Christian circles can indeed be challenging. Creating your own authentic lifestyle to meet all Biblical standards, when establishing a Christian identity and healthy self-image can be difficult. You could argue that self-neglect and self-abasement are synonymous with humility, which is one of the central tenets of Christianity. But the messages of self-love and self-fulfillment that the modern world bombards us with often run counter to Jesus' command to be humble.CMH 67.2

However, a deeper dive into Scripture reveals a path that beautifully integrates both self-acceptance and outward love, rooted in the profound knowledge of who we are in Christ.^{[70]https://adventistreview.org/magazine-article/learning-to-love-myself-and-my-neighbor-too/}CMH 67.3

“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Mark 12:30, 31 NKJVCMH 67.4

“The Lord is disappointed when His people place a low estimate upon themselves. He desires His chosen heritage to value themselves according to the price He has placed upon them. God wanted them, else He would not have sent His Son on such an expensive errand to redeem them.” Ellen White in The Desire of Ages, p. 668CMH 67.5

Reflect: In your own life, how can you cultivate a sense of self-worth that doesn't detract from genuine humility and outward focus?CMH 67.6