“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” - Philippians 2:3-4

Isn’t it ironic that people who display deep insecurity can also be manipulative and self-centered? When I say “people”, I’m also talking about me. I do. I can. Even though I can be insecure about myself and my abilities, I can work hard to feed my ego by cutting myself down so that others feel inclined to boost me up. Honestly, it can feel  like an adrenaline rush, but it sure isn’t the true humility described in the Philippians.

We are a self-aware culture. The absence of care and kindness in our world has created a culture of insecurity and self-doubt. This leads to turning into ourselves to find our self-worth. We’ve swung the pendulum in the other direction, however, by over-emphasizing healthy views of self. It’s formed a chasm of neglect in thoughtfulness in our world. When we put ourselves and our own self-worth as a top priority, we will shortchange the people around us every time. 

In the divine scheme of things, the greatest way to build a healthy self-image is by stepping out of ourselves to care for others. In focusing our eyes on the needs of others and not focusing on our own needs, we don’t have time to micro-manage every thought that comes into our minds about ourselves. 

TRY IT: What is one self-care statement or affirmation you’ve told yourself lately? Now, share that same ego boost with someone else who needs it.