Protect Your Dignity

This blog is more serious than most articles I write.  There’s a good reason for that.  I’ve been facing some personal challenges that have truly been hard for me to deal with.  Rather than retreat into my own thoughts and self-pity, I would rather spend my energy trying to help someone else get through their own difficulties.  That’s a strategy that can help me through it all, I think, and that’s the purpose of this blog.

“Protect your dignity” is closely related to “guard your heart”, believe it or not! If you are willing to consider that point, you might just admit there’s much more to that little saying.  Under that umbrella, just add “protect your peace”, “keep your dignity”, “be true to yourself”, “don’t rain on my parade”. You get the idea; all those little sayings fall under “protect your dignity”, even if a couple of them might seem a little contrary.

I am trying to guard my heart by remembering that we all have flaws, and I am sure I have more than my share. I will protect my peace by not setting myself up for disappointment.  If I cannot protect my peace, I hope to keep my dignity by being true to myself while not raining on anyone’s parade. It will be difficult, but I do not intend to fail in this endeavor because if I do, I will fail myself.  Big goals, small steps.

I was searching the Word to help me fully map out what I need to do to accomplish my goal.  It may seem a little odd, but Matthew Chapter 6 hit me like a rock. I realized that it explains better than I ever could, what I am trying to convey to you. When I was thinking about how I could express my feelings about “protect your dignity”, I kept coming back to Chapter 6.  I totally understand the teaching about Almsgiving, but it is a good reminder.  Remembering HOW to give is an important aspect in my resolve to help others. Verses 19-21 expand my understanding about how we give is connected to salvation, and reading Verse 34 is a good way to end my day.  It addresses my need to take my worries and put them aside because those destructive thoughts are non-productive!

So, I will continue the practice of reading Chapter 6 every day during this year’s Advent and Christmas season because I think it typifies many of the things Jesus tried to teach us during His time on earth.  Do not worry, He will protect our dignity. Have the merriest of Christmases and a blessed New Year!