My Corner Online

 

Me First Mentality or Self-Sacrafice Mentality

 

I saw this on Pinterest. So Untrue

I keep seeing things on social media, such as Pinterest and Facebook, of quotes that people share and I sometimes wonder if they really think about what it says or if they go with their initial reaction. At first, I agreed with this and then I took two seconds to think about it and realized how untrue it really is.

The image says "You can't live your life for other people. You've got to do what's right for you, even if it hurts some people you love" -- Nicholas Sparks (The Notebook)

Since when did God ever tell us it was okay to put ourselves before others?

Romans 15:1-3 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.

I see self-sacrifice mentality vs. me-first (self-doing) mentality In the example that Christ gave us in His own actions, He was self-sacrificing.

Sure, I grow weary sometimes and fall into the trap myself of releasing my burdens by giving up on doing for others and putting myself first to feel relief and rest. The other voice on the other shoulder says to me, "but, you have to take care of yourself first so you are strong enough to do for others," and I can see the truth in that too. Is this where the "me first" mentality comes from?

Philippians 2:3-4 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

If I put God first, won't He give me the strength I need? Won't He give me the rest when I need it? I should not listen to that voice on the other shoulder that says to "give myself rest," but rather wait on the Lord to give me what I need in His timing, not mine.

God wants us to live our life for other people, not for ourselves. God wants us to do what is right for other people, not for ourselves. Significantly, he does not want us to live our life for ourselves if it hurts someone else in doing so. Lack of doing for others when we can is wrong enough without adding hurt onto the same.

6/1/2012