You are not who someone else says you are. You are a child of a King, so wear your title well with dignity. We sometimes allow our relationships to define who we are as an individual. That allowance can easily lead to low self-esteem, which only increases the feeling of brokenness. Having positive self-esteem helps us to see things more clearly. In any relationship, no one person is exempt from owning part of the problems that may exist. But, a more significant problem can exist when you accept too much ownership. What do I mean? I recall times when I pondered over and over why certain things were happening in a personal relationship. I felt that I did not deserve the mistreatment. Knowing I am not a perfect individual, but for all intent and purposes mistreating anyone is not a part of my character make-up, I did not feel any justification for the treatment I received. Thankfully, I was able to maintain good self-esteem. Why? Because first and foremost, I know me, and I don’t allow anyone to define me.

Secondly, I had healthy relationships with family, friends, co-workers, and even associates. When a person is not secure in their general relations with others, strained personal relationships can lower their self-esteem. Everyone needs to be loved, and along with that need is the desire to be treated well. Sometimes in our lives, we view people and situations through tinted glasses. An emotionally abusive person is still that way no matter how one smiles, how much money one spends on you, or how much one says I love you. Our innate desire to be loved and treated well doesn’t make it a reality. Oh, how much more comfortable life would be if it did! But, we should never allow other people’s problems to define who we are.

We have to love our self before we can love anyone else. We should think positive about who we are. One should never feel that they are deserving of mistreatment. It’s easy to claim ownership because our human nature often leads us to think or say, “I must have done something.” We are not perfect, but love covers a multitude of faults. The higher we can get our self-esteem( how we feel about ourselves), the closer we can get to having our broken heart healed. To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness…” Isaiah 61:3. I’ll be back next week with a new post, “No free passes!”

Be encouraged, and God bless!
Sister Jackie