More random musings

I just finished reading the book by Calvin Miller, Becoming: Your Self in the Making. Overall, I'd say the book was good--it offered an objective way to see yourself and understand yourself and the influences that have impacted you and the extent that those influences may be guiding your life, perhaps--unbenownst to oneself. I offer more random thoughts from the book that caught my attention; I'll offer my insight on them if requested.

Winning is a matter of focus and discipline. Losing happens because we misjudge the race or fail to prepare adequately or do not struggle to win. Losing often occurs simply because we do not focus on winning.

The innate self questions and doubts that the quantum self will be able to maintain the production of that product which brought it outer esteem and thus a feeling of inner worth as well. Now this inner-outer harmony becomes jangled by inner doubt.

The last chapter of the book, coincidentally was the one I liked the most--it offered the most thought provoking healing that I so desperately seek, despite my reliance on God and my overall happiness about my life. The last chapter is entitled "Repairing the Damaged Self."

Raised without love, children come to believe themselves unlovable.

When, in disgrace with Fortune and men's eyes, I all alone weep my outcast state, Wishing me like to one more rich in hope, Featur'd like him, like him with friends possess'd, Desiring this man's art and that man's scope.

There are many indicators of ego damage. Damaged egos are unable to cope with things they ought to be able to manage. The rough spots of life that others handle with some ease leave the damaged self disoriented and confused.

Depression is a sympton of the noncoper. Depression is the unwelcome soul guest who says the innate self is under the heavy heel of a burdensome psychology. No real headway can be made toward inner peace. Self-esteem is usually not possible for those walled in by depression, but self-concern is. Those who cope with depressives continually and unsuccessfully have to admit they are among the most selfish on earth. They cannot be free of their woeful entanglement in their own affairs to show even an instant of concern elsewhere. Their selfishness brings them little joy. ... Depression feeds on idle thought and time. But it wallows masochistically in the tearful space it makes for itself.

Your life begins / Somewhere beyond / my radius. / I scour my scuffed / circumference / For signs of you... / Held fast, again, / at last, / By who I am.

Reference Job 16:12-17.

To switch from negative to positive thinking about ourselves is arduous and includes three steps: blockage, substitution, and rehearsal. ... The inner Christ performs that function and you must hear Him. The peace of God blows the whistle like a game official and says, "That low-esteem thought you have just allowed yourself is simply not fair. It is based, not on any objective truth, but on your negative way of thinking. You should immediately eliminate that thought since it is inconsistent with God's love for you. Further, you should eliminate it on the solid evidence that a score of people who really know you would disagree with it."

A belief that I must remember as I lift each step to Him:

"I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.
And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God. Job 19:25, 26

Thank you Brittany (plug for her blog, click on her photo below) for the recommendation of this book. I look forward to discussing it with you if you elect to do so (anyone else for that matter too.) If you have any others to share, please do so. My next book--a thin one--Sit, Walk, Stand: The Process of Christian Maturity is at bat.