romans 12: 3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

isn't it amazing... how we tend to build ourselves up.. how we have confidence in the wrong things.. the wrong people.. but not enough confidence and trust in God... I was very guilty of this in the past... I don't think I am truly over it.. it still arises now and again... pride.. an ugly beast...
6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

if we don't battle pride.. then we often battle low self esteem.. where we can't see any value in ourselves... we all have gifts.. we all have value.. we are all needed in the body of Christ... yet some people can't see their value at all...

funny... we see our worth in what we own.. what we look like.. but we need to see ourselves through the eyes of God.. I wonder.. if we begin to see ourselves.. and others too.. through God's eyes.. will it stop us from thinking we are too great.. or not enough.. and will it also stop us from talking about others.. because they too have value... everyone does...
9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.

if we love one another.. does that make us more like Christ.. so as we say daily how we want to be more like Christ.. what if we start by showing love to everyone... every day.... maybe we can accomplish that goal...

Lord please take our focus off of ourselves and on to you and your people... then we can balance realizing that we are worth something.. but we are not the center of the universe....