Thoughts
that have come from various quotes taken from the book, "Victor - Breaking
Free From a Victim Based Society" by John H. Hovis. Click here to link directly to
the audio file.
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"‘Bloated by self-importance... soul empty…’ Roles, on their own, do that to us. When our roles are working well, we can’t help but think more highly of ourselves than is good for us. The better our lives the more bloated we may become."
As quoted from the book "Victor - Breaking Free From a Victim-Based Society" by John H. Hovis Page 19.
Ever get that bloated feeling after you had a bit too much to eat or drink? It’s uncomfortable. Frankly it’s kind of grotesque how your poor belly looks when you are suffering from that bloated feeling. Bloated is a vivid and accurate description used for those who allow self-importance to creep into their lives.
Unlike being bloated from eating too much, self-importance is not something that is so easy to recognize by those suffering from its effects at times. Self importance sneaks in at the most covert and, often times, good intentioned ways. Self-importance is a soul condition. It is an ailment that comes from and, impacts our will, emotions and intellect. Left too long, that bloated feeling of self-importance leaves our soul empty; devoid of the stuff that makes us the relational beings God created us to be.
The Bible paints a picture of the ultimate in self-importance. Satan said the words in today’s reading below;
“You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’” Isaiah 14:13-14 (NIV)
Did you notice the two words that were repeated over and over again in the reading above? Those two little words, “I Will”, are at the center of what can turn any victor into a victim thinker if they are left to linger in their lives. “I Will” is not an evil statement on its own. It’s when we engage the soul’s power of will, intellect and emotions to try and guarantee the “I Will” that the victor is flirting with victim thinking disaster. That’s when the bloated feeling of self-importance can take over and the soul can be damaged to the point of becoming void of its life giving forces.
Role based identity is a killer to the soul when it is empowered by self-importance. The “I Will’s” of striving to make roles work so our identity is secure is what ushers in wave after wave of victim thinking events. When we come face to face with the chasm that is the potential for our “I Will” to not happen, our souls can collapse into the place where the empty soul resides.
That’s why victors fight to keep their identities free from the soul robbing dependence on how any particular role might turn out. Identity based on roles is a sure-fire way to taste failure. Repeated failure opens the door to victim thinking. Those stuck in victim thinking turn out to be the most self-important beings on the planet. You can almost hear the faint echos of “I Will” in the empty soul of the bloated victim thinker stuck in their self-important life.
Victors aren’t immune to self-importance. In fact most victors have been there time and time again. Sadly, we will go there again in the future. What sets victors apart is the fact that they recognize the bloated feeling of self-importance and take steps to move from that soul challenged place to the place of security and freedom that is their true identity as God’s Child.
Today you have the chance to do a real “gut check.” Do you feel bloated? Better yet, do those who know you the best recognize any of the characteristics of a bloated, self-important soul? If so, change is easy. Take time today to consider the “I Will’s” in your life. Are they appropriate given what you know about your true identity? Are the “I Will’s” leading you to do things in a way to help bolster your identity? Nothing you do today, or the rest of your life, will do anything to make your identity more secure, more perfect, more long-lasting than simply believing you are all you God created you to be. Go out and live a life free of self-importance today. That’s the victor’s promise for your life as you live out the God empowered day He has set before.
**********
"‘Bloated by self-importance... soul empty…’ Roles, on their own, do that to us. When our roles are working well, we can’t help but think more highly of ourselves than is good for us. The better our lives the more bloated we may become."
As quoted from the book "Victor - Breaking Free From a Victim-Based Society" by John H. Hovis Page 19.
Ever get that bloated feeling after you had a bit too much to eat or drink? It’s uncomfortable. Frankly it’s kind of grotesque how your poor belly looks when you are suffering from that bloated feeling. Bloated is a vivid and accurate description used for those who allow self-importance to creep into their lives.
Unlike being bloated from eating too much, self-importance is not something that is so easy to recognize by those suffering from its effects at times. Self importance sneaks in at the most covert and, often times, good intentioned ways. Self-importance is a soul condition. It is an ailment that comes from and, impacts our will, emotions and intellect. Left too long, that bloated feeling of self-importance leaves our soul empty; devoid of the stuff that makes us the relational beings God created us to be.
The Bible paints a picture of the ultimate in self-importance. Satan said the words in today’s reading below;
“You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’” Isaiah 14:13-14 (NIV)
Did you notice the two words that were repeated over and over again in the reading above? Those two little words, “I Will”, are at the center of what can turn any victor into a victim thinker if they are left to linger in their lives. “I Will” is not an evil statement on its own. It’s when we engage the soul’s power of will, intellect and emotions to try and guarantee the “I Will” that the victor is flirting with victim thinking disaster. That’s when the bloated feeling of self-importance can take over and the soul can be damaged to the point of becoming void of its life giving forces.
Role based identity is a killer to the soul when it is empowered by self-importance. The “I Will’s” of striving to make roles work so our identity is secure is what ushers in wave after wave of victim thinking events. When we come face to face with the chasm that is the potential for our “I Will” to not happen, our souls can collapse into the place where the empty soul resides.
That’s why victors fight to keep their identities free from the soul robbing dependence on how any particular role might turn out. Identity based on roles is a sure-fire way to taste failure. Repeated failure opens the door to victim thinking. Those stuck in victim thinking turn out to be the most self-important beings on the planet. You can almost hear the faint echos of “I Will” in the empty soul of the bloated victim thinker stuck in their self-important life.
Victors aren’t immune to self-importance. In fact most victors have been there time and time again. Sadly, we will go there again in the future. What sets victors apart is the fact that they recognize the bloated feeling of self-importance and take steps to move from that soul challenged place to the place of security and freedom that is their true identity as God’s Child.
Today you have the chance to do a real “gut check.” Do you feel bloated? Better yet, do those who know you the best recognize any of the characteristics of a bloated, self-important soul? If so, change is easy. Take time today to consider the “I Will’s” in your life. Are they appropriate given what you know about your true identity? Are the “I Will’s” leading you to do things in a way to help bolster your identity? Nothing you do today, or the rest of your life, will do anything to make your identity more secure, more perfect, more long-lasting than simply believing you are all you God created you to be. Go out and live a life free of self-importance today. That’s the victor’s promise for your life as you live out the God empowered day He has set before.
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