I am a firm believer that our perception of anything will determine our actions towards it. Perception in its condensed form is the mental images, ideas, and thoughts that we produce when calculating or forming an opinion, judgment, or conclusion about someone or something.
Unfortunately, our perceptions are seldom based on facts but, for the most part, whatever we perceive. Our positive and negative actions will always be rooted in our perception of what we respond to.
Scripture records that ten of the twelve spies that went to spy out the land of Canaan reported to the children of Israel upon their return, saying, "We were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight," Numbers13:33.
This is a powerful scripture because its essence suggests that how we perceive ourselves is how we assume others view us. Also, we behave according to how we see ourselves in the sight of others. Amazingly, others will treat us according to our perception of ourselves that is evident in our behavior.
There is someone on your job, in your family, in your network of friends whom you believe is more competent than you, more confident than you, or friendlier. Wait a minute, these are your thoughts, ideas, and images that you've manufactured, of yourself and by extension, you're behaving according to what you are thinking. (so a man thinks so is he Prov. 23:7) and now you are subliminally placing a demand on them to treat you according to your behavior, which all began based on your own conjured mental images and thoughts.
My words of wisdom to you on this beautiful morning are to believe the report of the Lord. That report states that he has made you a little lower than the Angels but has crowned you with glory and honor and has made you have dominion over the works of his hands, and has placed all things under your feet, Psalm 8:5-6.
Now, proceed to the nearest mirror you can find, take another look at yourself, and begin to form images of a confident, beautiful, intelligent, kind, and awesome person in your mind. Secondly, grab hold of your bible and seek every scripture that speaks to your person, such as you are fearfully and wonderfully made Psalm 139:14. Meditate on what God has said about you repeat into your understanding until you literally see the images of a new person in your mind. Scripture reminds us that if we meditate upon the word day and night, we shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water. Make no mistake, your life is the sum total of how you view yourself.
Heavenly Father, I appreciate that there is no other God besides you. This morning, I pray that you inspire your people to put aside the condescending mindset of themselves. Father, purpose in the hearts of those reading this article. To think of themselves according to what you've said in your word of them, in the name of your son Jesus Christ. Amen!
Written by: Kevin L A Ewing
kevinewing@coralwave.com
kevinlaewing.blogspot.com