We don’t have to teach kids to be selfish. One of their first words is “mineâ€. We still struggle with it as adults. We live in a “me†generation. It’s all about us. We struggle to take the focus off ourselves and put it onto others. When you and I are selfish, people will get hurt because we will make it all about us.
We can overcome selfishness:
1. By being connected to Jesus. We get the power through Jesus to overcome the “Meâ€. God didn’t give us the spirit of fear but he gave us power, love and a sound mind. We can discipline ourselves to not be selfish. Jesus gives us the power to put someone else first – to offer someone else the chair, to open the door for someone. The only way we can do this without resentment is being connected to Jesus.
2. By being connected to each other. By sharing God’s word and forming meaningful relationships, we get to see the highs and lows that others go through. As a result of this connection, we start to take our minds off ourselves and put it onto others. Have you ever been in the “poor me†state? Guess what happens? Our problems get bigger and it’s hard to see past our pain. But when we get connected to each other, we get a different perspective. We can rise above ourselves, even though we still have the pain.
3. By being considerate of others. Sometimes, it’s so hard for us to put others first. We like to be first, the greatest and the best. It’s difficult to be considerate of one another. It comes down to our motivations. Sometimes, to others, it seems that we have it all together. Until you let others in and let them know you’re hurting. Let them know you feel that no one cares. Then, someone comes along who senses your pain and who is considerate. You say to yourself “They really care. They’re real. They know I’m hurting.†Are you considerate of one another or does it just happen when it’s convenient. If we could open up every mind and see what people are really thinking, it would be surprising. Some of our thoughts are so destructive that eventually we will act like we think. If you think no one likes you, then you may not have many friends because you won’t let others in. If you keep saying your life will never get better, it won’t. The way we think has a lot to do with how we act.
4. By being concerned for one another. The world is not all about you or me. When we have Jesus in our lives, there’s a point where you discover you aren’t perfect. Mistakes and bad choices are what make you who you are. When you discover you’re a sinner and you turn to God and say “I want to place my trust in Youâ€, something changes. Jesus gives us the power to live the Christian life. We see people in a different light when we have Jesus in our lives because we are able to look at each other with brand new eyes. We identify followers of Christ by the way they love one another and by the way they respond to each other. It doesn’t mean we’re all perfect but it means that when we make a mistake, we’re able to admit it. One of the things that happen when we have the power of Christ within us is that we change from the inside. We strive to live the abundant life that Jesus wants us to have. Jesus gives us the power but he also gives us the choice. We have to make the decision to overcome selfishness in our own hearts.