Tuesday, December 14, 2010

What About Me




Caring about other people is the greatest thing we can ever do because, as human beings, we are so innately selfish.  Selfishness and self-centeredness are inbred in us.  The focus of our thoughts tends to be on ourselves, and whether we ever utter the words with our mouths or not, we constantly ask, "What about me?"  This is not the way God wants us to live.

I spent many years of my life as a very unhappy, dissatisfied person, and I wasted a lot of time thinking my unhappiness was someone else's fault.  I was a Christian but my joy level was definitely affected by my circumstances.  As I grew in my personal relationship with God, I became desperate for peace, stability, true happiness, and joy.

That kind of hunger for change usually requires facing some truth about ourselves.  As I began seeking God for the root cause of my unhappiness, He showed me that I was very selfish and self-centered.  My focus was on what others could and should do for me, rather than what I could do for them.

God is love and His nature is that of a giver.  He gives, He helps, He cares, and He sacrifices.  Love is not something God does, it is who He is.  He commands us to love and be kind to others, which means taking the focus off of ourselves, silencing the voice that asks, "What about me?" and learning to follow Jesus' example of being kind, generous, and loving towards others.  (Joyce Meyer-Power Thoughts)

Guilty as charged--this was a little freaky as I read this part of the book.  Facing the truth about yourself is not pleasant but with God's Grace and His Word to guide you; it can make it bearable.  

1 comment:

Retta said...

Ouch... but so true.

It reminds me of that story of the little boy at school. They were asked: what is love?

All the kids had lots of different answers, but this one little boy said simply: Love gives.

When the teacher asked him to explain, he said it was because of this verse: For God so loved the world that He GAVE his only begotten son...

I don't know which chapter of her book this post's quote is from, but I look forward to reading it.
Loretta
=^..^=