Certainly there are a lot of challenging things that bombard our brains and souls each day. We are told we are too fat, too thin, too rich, too poor, not cool, too cool, etc. Virtually every form of media tells us that we are inadequate in some way. Whether it is TV, movies, or the internet, we are being offered chances to obtain happiness in the form of weight loss, wealth, possessions, or friends. No wonder there is so much anxiety and frustration in the world.
However, this anxiety and frustration not only plagues people that are non-Christian, it plagues Christians as well. So, how do we reconcile this? The reality is that as humans, we are innately vulnerable to chasing the wrong things down the wrong paths. We are almost supremely centered on ourselves and our desires, rather than on the needs of others. The siren songs from TV, movies, and the internet are so appealing not because they are great, but because of our universal human nature.
Many people that attend church regularly are very much victims of this targeted messaging. We often hear churches decrying the media outlets for their poor messages, but yet we see churchgoers still ill-equipped to defend themselves against these messages. Truth is that religious works will do very little to defend us against the temptations and negative messaging of the world.
There is a global epidemic that is the lack of true understanding of Christianity. The Bible tells us of human nature and the ways to peace, rest, and life. Yet, as churchgoers we don't seem to know the basics about ourselves as we wander from Sunday to Sunday. Simply attending Sunday services won't get you to know yourself and ultimately to accept the person you are designed to become. The true path to understanding yourself and accepting the person you are designed to become is through God directly.
As Christians, we may fill our schedules with church activities, but we may be seriously devoid of a real relationship with God. As a result, we may know very little about ourselves or where we are going. Too often we blame the media outlets for sending messages that tear us down. But far too few times do we recognize that with the right relationship with God, the messages of the world fall away. It is far too easy to cast blame, and far too convenient to avoid the core issues.
Knowing yourself is about knowing the way that we are as humans. Human nature is one of sin, and without help, we cannot do anything about it. How we are as humans, and what we are designed to become with God's help, is all covered in the Bible.
The Bible is not the book that is distorted all too often for political gain on TV. The Bible tells us of human nature, the failures of humans, and how there is a path to peace, joy, and life. Don't let youself accept simple definitions of who you are what you are to become. Don't let youself wander through life without thinking. Don't let youself be shaped as a human by society and the world's messaging. Know yourself and who you are designed to become through the words of the Bible.