From; Brenda Walsh Ministries.
Respecting Yourself
God wants you to show respect to your fellow man, but did you know that He also wants you to respect yourself? When you allow someone else to control you and cause you to doubt your own thoughts and feelings, it shows disrespect for yourself. You may be insecure and feel as if someone else knows more than you do, therefore valuing their words and thoughts more than your own. But God wants you to listen to the Holy Spirit when making choices. It’s okay to ask for advice from others, but afterward, consider it, pray about it, and then “you” choose what to do. Ultimately, you answer to God for the decisions you make - not the person who is trying to influence you. Be careful not to disregard your own thoughts and beliefs. Just because people think differently than you doesn’t mean that they are right, no matter how much you look up to them or how many letters they have behind their name. You are entitled to your own opinion, so don’t let anyone put you down for following your own conscience. Your opinion is just that . . . yours! Set boundaries and don’t allow others to cross them or try to change you. When you do, you are disrespecting yourself because it violates your own standards. Choose to live your life with dignity in a manner that is worthy of self-respect. Live in such a way that you feel good about your decisions. The Bible says in Job 12:3, “But I have intelligence as well as you; I am not inferior to you. And who does not know such things as these?” Text: Isaiah 30:21, 1 Peter 3:14-16, Proverbs 3:5-6, Acts 23:1