Friday, June 26, 2009
Idiosyncrasies
We all possess a variety of idiosyncrasies. We think of them as quirks, inconveniences, or oddities that we’d rather do without. And yet, there is something about our differences that makes us uniquely who we are. Sometimes, we wear these traits of divergence on the outside where they are most obvious to the world; however, at times, they go unseen, as they are worn on the inside. Whichever eccentricity you wear, it is yours, as is that orange patterned shirt hanging in your closet, the one you just can’t get rid of no matter how hard you try.
Internal and external differences can cause discomfort, as we would prefer to match the symmetry of normalcy. And yet, would we be who we are if these foibles disappeared? For your friend, it might be an issue of weight, either too gangly or too stout. For a relative, it could be a disfigurement or a birthmark, something that makes him or her stand out. Perhaps for a co-worker, it is her hair that never quite does the right thing, or her complexion that is non-compliant. Sometimes, it's a less obvious weakness of sorts, such as a speech or hearing impediment.
Maybe your foible is on the inside. Perhaps you long to let go of some addiction that goes unnoticed by anyone besides yourself, or a thought that deeply entangles your mind. Do you obsess over things that others readily dismiss? It's possible that your idiosyncrasy is an addiction to control, to fear, or to busyness.
It might feel that your difference is so remarkable that no-one could possibly relate to your feelings of defeat. However, in reality, we are all flawed; we all contain some sort of imperfection. It might seem that Mrs. Brady down the street has it all together, with no flaws or shortcomings, but hers are actually just hidden up her sleeve.
Though we frequently turn to magazine gurus and television icons, they are the wrong places to turn to for accurate sources of self-worth. Sometimes, it is tempting to compare yourself to someone without the same peculiarity, who perhaps looks or acts “better” than you do, but it is likewise the wrong object of reflection.
The true source for proper personal identity is the Bible. Though I frequently forget to turn there first, when I do, I am adequately and lovingly reminded of who the Lord says I am. David prays out to God in Psalm 139: 13-16, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made…My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body…”.
Even when you are feeling frightfully disheartened, you can contemplate the majesty that you are not a mistake because you were seen and formed by God himself in your mother’s womb. Think over how you were wonderfully and fearfully made and your idiosyncrasy seems less cumbersome.
Satan will keep throwing lies at you to discourage your spirit, but remember that “…the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world” (1John 4:4). Likewise, it is wise to remember that you can “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).
For some of us, our idiosyncrasy might wane or retreat altogether. Today, there are many corrective options for our physical flaws or disparities; and yet, is surgery really the best choice? Maybe we shouldn't change our physical images to align ourselves more closely to that of the world.
Physical health should be a prime objective. For example, being physically fit honors the Lord because it is an act of caring for the body that He has given you, which is a gift. Paul says in Romans 12:1, “…offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.” So clearly, keeping our bodies in good shape is something that pleases God.
However, if we make our outward appearance our primary goal for the purpose of looking good rather than being healthy, it seems that we are missing the point. For instance, the next verse in Romans 12 says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This matter is between each of us and the Lord to decide which flaws are to remain and which ones are to be refurbished. Ultimately, we must come to terms with who we are in Christ and trust Him for our self-worth and value.
For those blemishes that are internal, we can seek terrific professional counsel, but even then, it is important to remember that God is our ultimate Counselor. Isaiah 9:6 foreshadows Christ’s coming and says, “…And he will be called Wonderful Counselor…”. We should turn to Him for encouragement and counsel.
Likewise, it is comforting to know that God will bring us to total completion once we are in heaven with HIM. Praise the Lord that he is not done with us yet, but that “…he who began a good work in (us) will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).
Internal and external differences can cause discomfort, as we would prefer to match the symmetry of normalcy. And yet, would we be who we are if these foibles disappeared? For your friend, it might be an issue of weight, either too gangly or too stout. For a relative, it could be a disfigurement or a birthmark, something that makes him or her stand out. Perhaps for a co-worker, it is her hair that never quite does the right thing, or her complexion that is non-compliant. Sometimes, it's a less obvious weakness of sorts, such as a speech or hearing impediment.
Maybe your foible is on the inside. Perhaps you long to let go of some addiction that goes unnoticed by anyone besides yourself, or a thought that deeply entangles your mind. Do you obsess over things that others readily dismiss? It's possible that your idiosyncrasy is an addiction to control, to fear, or to busyness.
It might feel that your difference is so remarkable that no-one could possibly relate to your feelings of defeat. However, in reality, we are all flawed; we all contain some sort of imperfection. It might seem that Mrs. Brady down the street has it all together, with no flaws or shortcomings, but hers are actually just hidden up her sleeve.
Though we frequently turn to magazine gurus and television icons, they are the wrong places to turn to for accurate sources of self-worth. Sometimes, it is tempting to compare yourself to someone without the same peculiarity, who perhaps looks or acts “better” than you do, but it is likewise the wrong object of reflection.
The true source for proper personal identity is the Bible. Though I frequently forget to turn there first, when I do, I am adequately and lovingly reminded of who the Lord says I am. David prays out to God in Psalm 139: 13-16, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made…My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body…”.
Even when you are feeling frightfully disheartened, you can contemplate the majesty that you are not a mistake because you were seen and formed by God himself in your mother’s womb. Think over how you were wonderfully and fearfully made and your idiosyncrasy seems less cumbersome.
Satan will keep throwing lies at you to discourage your spirit, but remember that “…the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world” (1John 4:4). Likewise, it is wise to remember that you can “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).
For some of us, our idiosyncrasy might wane or retreat altogether. Today, there are many corrective options for our physical flaws or disparities; and yet, is surgery really the best choice? Maybe we shouldn't change our physical images to align ourselves more closely to that of the world.
Physical health should be a prime objective. For example, being physically fit honors the Lord because it is an act of caring for the body that He has given you, which is a gift. Paul says in Romans 12:1, “…offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.” So clearly, keeping our bodies in good shape is something that pleases God.
However, if we make our outward appearance our primary goal for the purpose of looking good rather than being healthy, it seems that we are missing the point. For instance, the next verse in Romans 12 says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This matter is between each of us and the Lord to decide which flaws are to remain and which ones are to be refurbished. Ultimately, we must come to terms with who we are in Christ and trust Him for our self-worth and value.
For those blemishes that are internal, we can seek terrific professional counsel, but even then, it is important to remember that God is our ultimate Counselor. Isaiah 9:6 foreshadows Christ’s coming and says, “…And he will be called Wonderful Counselor…”. We should turn to Him for encouragement and counsel.
Likewise, it is comforting to know that God will bring us to total completion once we are in heaven with HIM. Praise the Lord that he is not done with us yet, but that “…he who began a good work in (us) will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).
Labels: encouragement, idiosyncrasies
