“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement, in accordance with the faith God has distributed each of you.” Romans 12:3

Last week, I wrote an inspiration based on the first two verses of this chapter in Romans. I’ve been feeling very inspired/encouraged/challenged by this chapter. So for the next few weeks, I am going to continue writing inspirations that I think will do the same for you.

This verse can seem a little harsh in our “everyone gets a trophy” world. That can be a talk for another day. This verse is talking specifically about how we view ourselves – not other people. “Do no think of yourself more highly than you ought”. I think most people fall into two categories at any given time – self-worshiping and self-deprecating.  We do things in extremes. I tend to fall into the latter of the two being harsh with myself but chalking it up to high expectations. I can also fall into the self-worshiping camp when I start thinking too highly of myself in my job or as a wife or friend.

God created us in Him image (Genesis 1:27). Therefore, we are the image bearers of the Creator of the universe. Some may view that as reason to pat ourselves on the back – kind of like if your dad is president of the United States or built a company from the ground up or did any other exceptional thing. Obviously, none of those things are even comparable to God, but I hope you see the parallel. We didn’t do anything to deserve bearing God’s image just like we didn’t do anything to deserve our parents’ accomplishments or inheritance.

This realization shouldn’t send us into the self-deprecating category, but it should cause us to give thanks to God for her mercy and grace.