We all desire others to respect us, and we know we need to live in a way that respects others, but we often forget that we also need to live in a way that respects ourselves. We do this by living with dignity. “Dignity” means to conduct yourself in a matter that is worthy of self-respect. How can you do that?

You do it by living true to yourself and in a way that makes you feel good about your choices. You refuse to react in ways that make you feel bad about yourself. Here are some areas in which you need to make self-respecting choices:

Your Needs – It isn’t selfish to take care of your needs; it is essential. You are instructed to put the oxygen mask on yourself first on a plane. Likewise, you take care of yourself so that you will have something to give to others in a healthy way. It is easy to neglect your needs in difficult relationships because others often pressure you to put them first, but if you don’t honor yourself by taking care of your needs, you are not respecting yourself.

Your Boundaries – Difficult people don’t like boundaries and will push you to change them for their own selfish interest. Your boundaries define what is and isn’t acceptable for you. When you allow things to violate your boundaries, you are disrespecting yourself because you are living in a way that violates your standards. Figure out what your limits are, and then respect yourself by standing firm in them.

Your Opinions – Remember, just because someone says it doesn’t make it so. Don’t discount your thoughts and beliefs because other people disagree with you. Your opinions are just that – yours. It doesn’t make them wrong when someone believes differently. It is tempting to give in to the pressure in difficult relationships to conform yourself to others’ perceptions and beliefs, but you need to resist it to be true to yourself.

Your Feelings – It is tempting to judge your feelings as right or wrong, but your feelings are simply there to teach you about how you are being affected by the people in your life so you can make decisions that value yourself. It is tempting to discount them and deny them. Instead, let yourself feel all your emotions, pay attention to them, and let them teach you about yourself.

Your Talents – God gave you your gifts and talents and expects you to do something with them. Don’t neglect them to take care of others or minimize them by deciding they are unimportant; instead, work on accepting yourself just as God made you rather than putting yourself down and comparing yourself to others. And figure out how to fulfill the purpose that God made you for by using your talents wisely.

Respecting yourself is important because if you don’t respect yourself, others won’t either.

By Karla Downing

Relationship Devotional Prayer

 
God,

Help me live in a way that honors who you made me to be and conduct myself in a way that is self-respecting.
 

Relationship Devotional Challenge

• Purpose to live in a dignified way that honors all your needs, boundaries, talents, feelings, and opinions.

Scripture Meditation

 
Ephesians 5:29

“After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church” (NIV).

Proverbs 31:25

“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come” (NIV).

Philippians 1:27

“Whatever happens, conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the
gospel of Christ” (NIV).

Proverbs 20:11

“Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right” (NIV).