It’s Not All About Me

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory: but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves”  Philippians 2:3

It seems like our world is just full of strife.  People are at odds with one another everywhere you go.  It’s not just strife between nations, but also between neighbors, co-workers, and those in one’s own family.  Webster’s Dictionary defines “strife” as “discord, conflict, struggling, and quarreling”.  Many folks want their way and do not even want to listen to the other side.  Our political leaders certainly are not setting a good example for the people that they serve, if you can call it serving the public.  They along with lots of folks are filled with self-pride and a very high opinion of themselves.  They love being in the spotlight, and some folks think their opinion is always right.  I think we might call that being a narcissist, one who views himself or herself as better than others and that his or her opinions and ideas are far superior to that of most others.

Now there is nothing wrong in loving oneself.  The Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 5:28-29 that husbands should love their wives as they love themselves, and that no one truly hates himself or herself.   He went on to say that no one hates his own flesh but goes to a lot of trouble to care for it.  The amount of money that people spend on themselves to improve their appearance is certainly proof of that.  It is when concern and care for oneself takes precedence over all others that leads to a life of strife.  People don’t like to be around someone who is selfish and “stuck up”.  It’s certainly no way to make friends.  And what’s life without some good friends?

The remedy to guard against strife and selfishness is to be lowly in mind and treat all others with honor and respect.  To be lowly of mind doesn’t mean thinking of oneself as a doormat for others to walk all over or as a wallflower, becoming oblivious to others as if one had no worth.  It means to be humble, caring, and putting others needs ahead of your own.  Isn’t this what Jesus did?  Imagine if all people who claim to follow Christ put meekness and humility into practice.  What a difference it would make in this world.

I am not a fan of television preachers, but I did pick up a good piece of advice from one several years ago.  This preacher, in following the advice of Paul in the above mentioned verse, said that one of the best ways to fulfill this admonition is to get yourself off of your mind and go find someone to whom you can be a blessing.  If we are suffering from depression or just having an old fashioned pity party, following this advice is a sure cure for what ails us.  Rather than asking for a blessing, try being a blessing to someone.  Even a smile or a sincere compliment can make someone’s day.  It lets them know that someone cares and that their life matters to others.  And isn’t that what most people desire–that they have worth and value and that their lives matter?