Rejoice in your uniqueness

[oriel]

I have been teaching psychology since 2005 and the students always look forward to the module on abnormality and mental illness. This year when I did the introductory lesson, I put together images of things that are commonly perceived as abnormal and was surprised to see the wide view of what the students thought. One group said that their was no such thing as abnormal, it's all relative.

Whilst this can be extreme as clearly there are things and behaviours which are abnormal, we also need to recognise that normality is also relative. Why I'm saying this is that poor self-esteem is often the consequence of us thinking, feeling and being told that we are different and not normal, but your differences and uniqueness are exactly what makes you normal.

To be like everyone else would be truly abnormal. For example I took a personality test recently and found out that there are about 5% of people with my personality type - I have always felt different and this shows it, but this difference doesn't make me abnormal it makes me uniquely me.

If you choose to see your uniqueness as bad, others will too - as long as you are working in co-operation with the Holy Spirit God alone can be the final judge of what is abnormal and normal having created you in the first place.

 

[RuthD]

I thought your thread said "rejoice in your ugliness". LOL.

Thanks for your thoughts. I feel that much of my self esteem issues have come from what others have said to me and treated me like. When I was feeling good about myself some people just were dying to knock me down into my place they would say!!

 

[oriel]

lol, that's funny - but I'm sure we all have our good and bad features. People will always say stuff to us especially for those who don't want us to reach our God given potential, but the key is who to listen to. God's words or man's.

 

[1watchman]

Very good thoughts shared. If we can stay within the norms of what our society expects or allows, and we can use our unique self to contribute something good ---even just a smile and pleasant greetings; also, seek to honor God and appreciate His counsel in His Word, we will do very well in life.

 

[grandvizier1006]

I had this depression at some point where I was uncertain of my identity--how much was I like other people? How much was I different? I felt like I was "too" different, which was just very distressing for me. I felt like a freak.

But I eventually began to realize that I was not one at all, and that feeling of love was the best moment of my life.

So in the end, I realized that I was different, but that being different from other people didn't make me sinful, even if it gave me a unique set of challenges in my life. I'm still a human being, in need of God's love, grace and mercy.

 

[look4hope]

Great thread!
Maybe we all have that point in life when we believe we are in need to fit with what is expected to be normal. Corny to say but we are all unique as unique as our fingerprints.

Our views of ourselves of what makes us who we are, will evolve with age. For example; I am a lefty. Growing up a lefty was interesting. It was looked as something out of the ordinary. So that could play a major impact in a kid's life.

Now, I am cool beans about lol. And you'll be surprised on how "artistic" I am considered by being a lefty. Different times, different views.

 

[PennineLady]

I remember being friends with a girl who was forced to write with her right hand, so her handwriting was a bit different. We both attended a high school where you learned to keep quiet, in case the school bullies noticed you for some reason, any reason. The circumstances of my birth meant that I was a bit different, too. Looking back, I realise that the kids that singled me out were all unhappy for some reason. This was in the days before helplines and helpful, supportive websites and forums.

My difference meant that I spent my life looking for deeper meaning...and eventually I found it with Jesus and God. My depression and anxiety have been so much easier to bear with God's Perfect Love in my life. *Sniff*

 

[Bananagator]

^^ I always find listening to people that are left handed's stories about growing up fascinating. I kind of had the opposite problem; I felt out of place because I'm the only one in my family who's RIGHT handed
I had a heck of a time learning how to do things like tie my shoes because no one in my family could do it the right-handed way. It was weird for me hahahaha


But anyway, good thread! I go through periods of "I'm not normal what's wrong with me," as does everyone else I'm sure.
I have some very quirky interests and every now and then it bothers me. Sometimes I think I'm too immature, sometimes I feel like I'm just plain weird.
Then I listen to Pork and Beans by Weezer and I feel better about myself.