Is self-awareness good for society?
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: An article titled “How the West Became a Self-Absorbed Culture” appeared in a health and science journal claiming that “collective narcissism” is a fashionable idea these days. It named a man who had earlier launched the “California Task Force to Promote Self-Esteem,” claiming that if people’s self-esteem could be raised, it would make them more competitive—a kind of social vaccine that can overcome paranoia, victimhood, etc. Is self-awareness good for society? – S.A.
A: Many people are insecure, lacking in self-confidence, and are therefore easily bruised by what other people say. Many egocentric people fall victim. We should not be hypersensitive to criticism or entertain an exaggerated sense of our own importance. This brings great unhappiness.
An illustration is the paranoid person who sees two acquaintances talking together and jumps to the conclusion that they are discussing her faults. She retreats into the torture chamber of her own mind, where she manufactures misery. Run from paranoia as you would run from a plague.
But the greatest solution to this very real problem is to surrender to Christ. Turn from self-absorption to being immersed in God’s truth. The most important thing anyone can do on their own behalf is to be humble before the Savior and ask forgiveness of sin and receive Him as the Lord. He sends His Spirit to help us through this journey. More important than what people think of us is what God knows about us, and His word tells us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23, NKJV). But He is waiting to hear our confession. He is waiting to redeem us and give us a new life in Christ. “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19, NKJV).
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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)
©2023 Billy Graham Literary Trust. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
(c)2024 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
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