Your article on self esteem really stirred something up between my husband and I.  We went on a walk down memory lane.

This is a difficult subject to admit to.  With my husband's early background in psychology and counseling he remembers when the subject of self esteem was almost taboo to talk about even back in the 70's.

Everybody has self esteem issues to some degree.  This is a big part of the trap. The Darkside knows that they can interfere with our God connection by promoting or causing low self esteem.

I refer to this as the lowly "dust mite" theory.  It comes from everywhere... family of origin, churches, schools, books, peer groups, addictions, unseen demons, and the multi-media. All these things are  ingredients of the low self esteem trap.

The foundation for low self esteem, I believe, usually begins in early childhood with the over use of words such as "no" or "don"t" plus the over use of guilt and shame to control a child's behavior. This instills feelings of "not being good enough". It is not so much the fault of the parents as it is due to the programming we call the"sins of the generations".

My extreme shyness and quietness started even before I can remember.  It bothered and haunted me all during childhood and through my 20's. Only when I made the personal, sincere decision to ask God for help was I on the road to recovery. The same with my husband and his low self esteem problems.   In other words, neither one of us got anywhere in overcoming low self esteem without asking sincere help from God.

Gaining self esteem is a work in progress and does not happen over night.  It is not a piece of cake. Sometimes there is much pain involved. You must make a resolve. Do you want to become a new and improved image in the likeness of God (our birthright) or in the image of the Lie?  You must learn to identify your "own goodness" and claim it.

Our altered, bruised ego cannot be the lead dog!  Be prepared for 3 steps forward, 3 steps backward and visa versa for awhile. Watch out for the demon energies that do not want

you to succeed in gaining a positive self image.  My husband found out they will play "trick or treat" with you every day, every hour, especially if you have an addiction(s). You must make the decision to set certain boundaries, as painful as it might be, by cutting the ties with people you may be enmeshed with that feed low self esteem.

In order to be fit to walk the Red Road of Truth you must embrace, live, and realize the Four Great Virtues within.  These are Courage, Wisdom, Fortitude, and Generosity  and are ingredients that need to be included in the formation of  a positive self image.  From your God Spirit within, you have the power to overcome low self esteem and build the fortress of a "positive self image".

In Love and Light,

C&AM