Self-esteem

[Hufflechuff]

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart

So says Psalm 51:17.

I recently applauded a woman for not only surviving a horrific attack but moving on with her life and not letting the actions of her attacker destroy her life. She said God was with her during the attack and helped her heal.

I found that a little worrying. Surely it is better for her own empowerment to recognise that she found the strength within herself rather than ascribe it to someone else. It was suggested to her that God was teaching her a lesson. My praise for her was criticised by Christians, one quoting 1 Cor 1:27-God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. Suggesting that if the woman felt any self-esteem in her achievements then she would be proud and out of God's favour.

Which leads me to the extract from Psalm 51. Why does God insist people consider themselves worthless before he loves them?

 

[Shiranui117]

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart

So says Psalm 51:17.

I recently applauded a woman for not only surviving a horrific attack but moving on with her life and not letting the actions of her attacker destroy her life. She said God was with her during the attack and helped her heal.

You were right in applauding her, and she was right in saying that God was with her and helped her. May He grant her many years!

I found that a little worrying. Surely it is better for her own empowerment to recognise that she found the strength within herself rather than ascribe it to someone else. It was suggested to her that God was teaching her a lesson. My praise for her was criticised by Christians, one quoting 1 Cor 1:27-God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise.

That is a grievous misuse of 1 Corinthians 1:27.

Suggesting that if the woman felt any self-esteem in her achievements then she would be proud and out of God's favour.

There are different types of "pride" recognized in Christianity. It's completely natural to feel a sense of accomplishment when succeeding in something perceived as difficult. The kind of "pride" condemned in Christianity, however, is the kind that says that we don't need God or our fellow man, or even states that we are above our fellow man; we can do whatever we want, and we don't need to consider the dignity of others in our actions.

Which leads me to the extract from Psalm 51. Why does God insist people consider themselves worthless before he loves them?

God insists no such thing. He always loves us, no matter what we do.

What God DOES insist, however, is that we recognize when we have failed and sinned, and that we repent of our wrongdoing, and return to communion and a good relationship with Him.

The mindset of Psalm 51:17 is embodied in part of a hymn sung during the Orthodox funeral service:

Blessed are You O Lord, teach me Your statutes.
The choir of the Saints has found the fountain of life, and the Door of Paradise.
May I also find the way through repentance; I am the sheep that was lost
Call me up to You, O Savior, and save me.

 

[Hufflechuff]

Thank you for your thoughtful answer.

I've been trying to find passages in the Bible that say a sense of self-worth or accomplishment is fine. But all I keep finding are verses related to inflated pride, or saying that we must be contrite, broken, before God.

Can you point me in the right direction please?

 

[Shiranui117]

I found this in Deuteronomy 12:
“But you shall seek the place where the Lord your God chooses, out of all your tribes, to put His name for His dwelling place; and there you shall go. 6 There you shall take your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, the heave offerings of your hand, your vowed offerings, your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks. 7 And there you shall eat before the Lord your God, and you shall rejoice in all to which you have put your hand, you and your households, in which the Lord your God has blessed you.

Deuteronomy 12:18 also says "and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God in all to which you put your hands."

Ecclesiastes 5:19 says that rejoicing over our accomplishments is a gift from God: "As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God."

Those are the more explicit ones. You can try searching for "rejoice" yourself or maybe "exult" or "joy" or "glad", and maybe you'll find more that you feel you can use.

BibleGateway.com: A searchable online Bible in over 100 versions and 50 languages.

But do note that there is always a good form and a bad form with things like "rejoicing" and "pride."