Chapter 5 – Running
for Cover:
Cleveland is
really hitting the spot with this book. She continues to build off herself as
the book continues. This chapter wrapped the previous four chapters altogether
in a way that explained how each piece affects how we perceive ourselves. As
Cleveland discussed self-esteem and the bits and pieces which go into how we
view ourselves or how we believe others view us, the affects of thoughtless
situations began to shine through. I really enjoyed a quote in the book from
John Eldredge and Brent Curtis which read, “Your evaluation of your soul, which
is drawn from a world filled with people still terribly confused about the
nature of their souls, is probably wrong.” This quote was utilized very well
within the chapter. The problem is that from a very young age, while we
appreciated the praise and affirmation from those around us, those things did
not stick with us. We begin to hold onto the negatives and let those affect us.
This harms our self-image and identity. By surrounding ourselves with others
who affirm who we are, they too can help us to defend those negative assaults
that have stuck with us and we are holding onto. Just as individuals can have a
low self-esteem, they can have a high self-esteem. This too is not a good situation.
The book used the example of teams, “if we perceive that we are better than our
fellow group members, we are more likely to want to upgrade to a higher-status group.
Both situations are prevalent in the Church. This hinders the body of Christ. When
it becomes more important for us as individuals to feel good about ourselves and
less important to embrace others who are members of the body of Christ. We are not
living our lives to glorify God. It is very difficult to find that happy medium,
however, it is important to do so. Our experiences and what we have heard or been
told from a very young age has shaped who we are today. Those with negative experiences
that have brought them down and those with positive experiences that have lifted
them far above being humble, I hope that all individuals can be brought to a level
in the middle. This can assist us in making sure that Christ is the center of it
all.
I really like the points you make Bethany about how we do get praise and affirmation when we are young but unfortunately all we do is hang on to the negative things that are said about us. I know for sure that I did this when I was little. I never thought I was good enough for anyone in my class and I was not like by anyone. I also like the point on how you say that in reality we do not live our live to glorify God. I think that we try but it is hard to live up to the expectations that people have for us in the church.
ReplyDeleteI really like the way you pointed out that we do often hold on to the negative things more than the positive things said about us or to us. I feel like this is almost crazy because it is like we do it to ourselves. We do not have to think about the negative things that are done to us but we choose to. I think that low self esteem would not be a big issue if we stopped being selfish with the things we fixate on.
ReplyDelete-Lauren Williams
The longer I work with children the more I am convinced of the importance and responsibility we all have in developing and cultivating a healthy self esteem in young people. You're right that we so quickly forget them but I think God's truth speaks through scripture and the voices of people who belong to the body of Christ. Too often we are concerned about ourselves yet our responsibility is to build up the church and one another. Good reflections here!
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