Reclaiming Your Identity As A Man: Stop Outsourcing Your Self-Worth

Here is the devotional:

I often outsource my self-worth to other people. A client, a friend, social media, my kids, a political candidate, a football team win (in a game we aren’t actually participating in), etc.

Seriously.

But while some are quick to say “I don’t care what other people think,” you then see that same person trying to boost their self-esteem through other things. Through success, their work, another sale, a physical challenge accomplished, another product sold, a car purchased, a kitchen remodeled, an award won. Now, I’m not saying those things are bad to pursue. In fact, those are great things. But I mean when we use those things to create self-worth in front of others, that’s when we find ourselves running hard on the Treadmill of Self.

Let’s face it. We all try to boost our self-worth with things we shouldn’t. The world says you aren’t good enough. Every. Single. Day.

So what do we do to compensate? We artificially shine a light on our makeshift lives to make us feel better about ourselves. While in reality, we are in fact insecure, fearful and in need of real affirmation of our true identity.

So what do we do with a false self-worth? We chase after awards to be recognized by our peers, our friends, maybe even our spouse who is also looking for affirmation in all the wrong places. We create stages and lights and award shows and retweet our own success. We write books to prove we are a success and show others how they can be just like us. We even create our own quotes to post on Facebook pages and promote them in hopes of it going viral. We market the content of our lives to win approval. We have become experts at trumpeting our own glory while saying with our lips, “So humbled to win this award.” Yet, our hearts are brimming with selfish pride.

We offer up our unique identity at the price of becoming like everyone else. We chase affirmation like a drug. We conform to a way of life prescribed to us like a pill we don’t want, but we believe we must take to be a “success.” We are willing to swallow it whole at the price of family, health, life, friendships and our eternal soul. We leave our wives waiting, and our kids screaming for our attention, so we can book another meeting and post another update to people who are consumed with their own issues.

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Here are the scriptures referenced:

Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Romans 6:6 KJV

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Here are Stu’s thoughts:

Oh boy!

Now granted this Bible Study is geared towards men but since most of my readers are in fact female…it still throws a punch to both genders…in the gut…the heart…the mind.

I read a lot of Bible Studies geared towards women…because I’m curious to see…but the truth of the matter is biblical principles are biblical principles and they apply to ALL!

So with that said…

Let’s face it. We all try to boost our self-worth with things we shouldn’t. The world says you aren’t good enough. Every. Single. Day.

This is oh so true.

I’ll be bluntly honest.

When Deb gifted her award last week, I was humbled, honored and I’m sad to say a little prideful. Now don’t get me wrong…I didn’t go and share it all over the place. Heck I haven’t even told Angie about it😮

But there was that brief moment when the pride of hey I’m doing something right popped up.

It’s not a bad thing. We should take  a little pride in our blog or we should stop writing. Just not prideful to the point of it’s not about God or your original mission statement. I just don’t ever want to take credit for something God has done. Does that make sense?

Pretty much all of us look for accolades from others.

How many of us post stuff on social media accounts and then check the notifications to see how many of your friends liked?

Or how many of us have been overlooked for a promotion, then go at it like that will never happen again and throw yourself into work…forgetting the main reason you started the job in the first place…to provide income for the family. Who now does get to see you hardly at all😥

That’s not right friends!

God first, wife second, kids third and then everything else can have their spots. If you are married with kids that IS your order of things. If it gets wacked because your too busy at work then your family is unduly suffering!

Let’s be honest with ourselves. Each of us know that we have been masterfully and uniquely created. Unique! Not even twins are the same. There is always something different between them.

We are like the sand and snowflakes. Every single one is different!

So why are trying to keep up with, get ahead of or be like others?

God has a unique plan for each of His unique creations and He will supply everything needed…not wanted by us mind you..but NEEDED in order to fulfill that purpose.

Self-Worth is just that self.

What about your true worth? God calls you worthy and your worthiness in His eyes has no bearing on what or how others see you!

Take this verse and apply it prayerfully each and every day…

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Colossians 3:23 KJV

There is your identity…it is found in the Lord…not this world!