I remember an experience with a new roommate in college. We went to the local shopping center for lunch, and as we were walking through the long corridors, my roommate suddenly began having a panic attack. She fearfully repeated, “Leslie, Leslie – why are all these people staring at me? What’s wrong with me??” At first I didn’t understand what she was saying, and frankly, I didn’t even notice! Then it dawned on me, they weren’t staring at her. I told her to walk several steps behind me and see what happened. She was so relieved to see nothing was wrong with her, and that they were actually staring at me!

I have spent my life being the tallest person in a classroom, on a basketball team, in a restaurant, at my office, or just about anywhere. Recently, I remember stopping for the day in Mumbai. As we enjoyed the sights, people began following me, wanting to take pictures with me. Small groups of young people, women with children and entire families kept gathering around me for pictures! I didn’t know what to think…I’m tall? I’m unique? Do they think they recognize me? I finally realized I wasn’t going to see any sights, so I just decided to enjoy the people!

Have you ever felt self-conscious? Have you ever wondered if the whole world is staring at you? I have. According to Psychology Today, self-consciousness keeps us fighting the battle to control our self-image. But obsessing over our shortcomings inevitably traps us in embarrassment and shame.

How do we rise above self-consciousness and triumph in life? First, contrast self-consciousness with self-worth. Self-consciousness is an awareness of differences and shortcomings compared to others. Self-worth is built upon an internal perspective of ourselves. It is discovery of our intrinsic value, lived out through our dreams of the future. The dictionary states self-worth is the sense of one’s own value as a person. It is self-esteem or self-respect.

Self-worth can find its basis in biblical truth by knowing that we are created in God’s image; by understanding that we are wonderfully made; by realizing that our lives were written in God’s book before we were born!  This Creator has chosen to live in the hearts of people! You can identify with Him today! How? By simply calling upon His name! God in heaven, Who revealed Himself to us through His Son Jesus is waiting right now for you to call upon Him! Why wait? Call on Him now!

In Jim Stovall’s famous book, “The Ultimate Gift” we read the story of a man striving to make his billions, who at the end of his life, leaves a broken, miserable family that has become accustomed to living on HIS wealth. His only son who possessed a work-hard–help-others attitude, died in a tragic accident. The “Ultimate Gift” was left to THAT son’s son, who was wasting away on his grandfather’s monthly stipend.

What could this ultimate gift be?  All of the family expected it to be money and lots of it!  But the grandson was given an OPPORTUNITY for a journey where he would discover hard work, purpose, friendship, giving and even stewardship!

Receipt of his inheritance would be based upon his ability to rise above the challenge his grandfather had set for him in a series of tests! This young man discovered the ultimate gift was not in HAVING but in GIVING life, working diligently, using his talents and rising to the challenge at hand! Research shows that individuals who know and exercise their character strengths live happier, more successful lives – they have stronger relationships, more engagement at work, and greater life balance.

The Creator of the universe so desired to be connected with you and me that He created a beautiful garden and placed people just like you and me in the very center.

David the King said, “I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars you set in place – what are mortals that you should think of us, mere humans that you should care for us! You put us in charge of everything you made and gave us authority over all things.”

Did you know that God trusts you? And that you were created for a purpose and fashioned for dignity? Perhaps you feel like you cannot be trusted, or you cannot trust because you’ve been hurt too deeply. Today I want you to know that you can trust God – He will trust you!

Scripture: Psalm 8:3

God has put a road in front of you. Not just a little overgrown path but a great highway! Even if you are uneducated, unemployed, unsophisticated or any other negative thing, you still can live error free on this road provided by God.

If Jesus is your Lord, you will even find protection there from the lions of life. Those that roar as well as those that bite! It is not a hard road for you to find. Jesus said “My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Scripture: Matt. 11:30

King George VI of Great Britain was known as the stuttering king and dreaded public speaking, a responsibility every monarch was expected to do often and well.

But as Germany threatened to invade England, King George rallied his strength, faced the people and found the resolve to inspire the nation as England declared war on Hitler. King George rose above his difficulties to lead a nation into war! With the help of Australian born speech therapist, Lionel Logue, he rose above his disability and courageously inspired a nation to action.

Have you thought about the importance of instilling vision in others? Let’s look briefly at three words: Magnetic, Magnanimous & Majestic.

Is your vision MAGNETIC? Is it attracting interest from others? Is it drawing resources to you? Regardless of your socioeconomic status, the world around you has extra resources looking to be employed, and your vision will provide a road map for resources and people to travel along! Ask yourself, “What am I attracting to my vision? Is it what I want? What I am expecting?”

The second word is MAGNANIMOUS – Are you generous of spirit? It will take quite a bit of generosity of spirit, time and talent to get you to your destination. The word ‘magnanimous’ means to be royal in nature, noble in character, capable of gracious behavior. Are you forgiving, charitable? Learn to think like nobility. You will need these characteristics when friends, family and those you have trusted fail you on the pathway to your dream! The result of being magnanimous is that you won’t sweat the small stuff. That’s what happens when you know who you are and when you know where you are headed! You are made for royalty! For destiny!

MAJESTIC—is your dream memorable? What value will it add to society and others? Is it quantifiable? What great results do you anticipate? How many people will you help? How much income will it generate? What great issue in society are you addressing?  http://bit.ly/1Eyv40n

David the Psalmist said, ‘Who is a person that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings 
and crowned him with glory and honor.
 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

God has a name. He is called the great “I AM”. The scripture says He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. We find true dignity in trusting in the One who calls us a king and a lord regardless of our station in life.

Do you need a new view on life, a new opportunity to discover God? You can pray right now: “Lord Jesus, I want to know you. Come into my heart and reveal yourself to me. Come into my heart and lift me up today.”

Scripture:  Psalm 8:4-6,9 ESV