Introduction: 

Wouldn’t it be great if everyone present felt good about themselves!?  Sure it would!  However, we often hear someone exclaim, “You know, I never do feel good.”  Any number of things, or a combination of several things could cause a person not to feel good or not to feel good about him (or her) self.  We believe that those things fall into one of three groups; they are:  physical, mental, or spiritual in nature.  Take for example, those things that pertain to the physical part of our wellbeing.  A person may wake up with a headache and it seems that nothing goes right for them during the entire day.  Or, if a person’s health is not as good as it once was, then they may honestly say, “I never do feel good anymore.”  Naturally, a person would like to feel vibrant and alive as they did when they were a little younger.  Of course, we cannot take back the years, but perhaps we can do something about our physical wellbeing.  We may need to go to those in the medical profession.  Or, as our school health books use to advise:  eat good food, get proper rest, get plenty of sunshine, and exercise. 

There is a scientific term, “psycho-cybernetics” which has reference to the relationship between our mind and our body.  If a person is despondent about something, then physically speaking, they usually don’t feel good either.  Or, if an individual has health problems, then that person has the tendency to worry about their health condition. 

But, let us approach this matter about feeling good about our selves from a positive manner.  Our emphasis will pertain primarily to the mental and spiritual; and in doing so, we need to consider our personal need, our relationship to others, and our fellowship with God.  We believe (mentally and spiritually speaking), that to a great extent, our personal needs are met when we are considerate of others’ needs, and toward our responsibilities to God. 

Discussion: 

I.                   FIRST OF ALL, LET US CONSIDER THE IMPORTANCE OF RESPECTING THE LORD AND HIS WILL IN ORDER FOR US TO FEEL GOOD ABOUT OUR SELF. 

A.     It was our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who said: 

John 14:15, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” 

John 15:14, “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” 

B.     It should make us feel real good about ourselves when we faithfully carry out God’s Will in our lives.  .  In fact, the Apostle John tells us that this is the way for us to have assurance that we are in fellowship with the Lord. 

1 John 2:3-5, “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.  He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.  But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected, hereby know we that we are in him.” 

C.     Also, if we are to truly feel good about our selves then we must know that what we are doing is pleasing unto God.  And to begin with, we must study the Bible, God’s inspired Word, in order to be pleasing to Him. 

2 Tim. 2:15, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of God.” 

D.    And then we must apply it unto our lives. 

James 1:21-25, (Read!) 

E.     If a person feels guilty about anything, then naturally they cannot feel good about them self until that guilt is removed. 

1.      To a child of God who is guilty of sin, John assures us that if we will: 

1 John 1:9, “…confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 

2.      And to one who has never obeyed the gospel of Christ, the Apostle Peter points out at 1 Pet. 3:21 that one must be baptized to be saved in order to have a good conscience toward God. 

II.                WE CANNOT SEPARATE OUR RESPONSIBILITY TOWARD OTHERS FROM THAT WE HAVE UNTO GOD.

A.     For Jesus declared:  “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matt. 25:40). 

B.     More than the Boy Scouts who seek to do a good deed every day, our lives (as Christians) should be full of good works. 

Gal. 6:10, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” 

1.      Like the Good Samaritan, we should be willing to do for others what we can (Luke 10).

2.      And to treat them as we would want to be treated.  This is according to the Word of Jesus at Matt. 7:12 that is commonly called:  The Golden Rule.

3.      We can commence to do this by being pleasant unto others.  After all, Solomon informs us, that, if we are to have “friends, then we must show ourselves friendly” (Proverb 18:24). 

C.     If we will feel good about ourselves, then we must sympathize with others. 

Rom. 12:15, “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” 

1 Cor. 12:26, “And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it.” 

D.    You will truly feel good about yourself when you use your influence to draw others closer to God. 

Matt. 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” 

Acts 5:42, “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” 

1.      Compliments make us feel good; therefore we should be generous in commending others. 

Rom. 13:7, “Render therefore to all their dues:  tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.” 

2.      We should be compassionate to the needs of others. 

Acts 20:35, “I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” 

III.             IF WE ARE TO FEEL GOOD ABOUT OURSELVES THEN WE NEED TO BE HONEST WITH OUR SELF.

A.     If there is something that needs to be corrected in our lives, then we should do so. 

James 4:17, “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” 

B.     We will have many unpleasant situations to confront us.  But if we will do the best we can under a given circumstance and rely upon the Lord, then these things can be overcome.  We need to personally have the attitude of the Apostle Paul when he said, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil. 4:13). 

1.      If we can do that, then we will be a very optimistic person. 

C.     When we are troubled about anything, then we should talk to our Heavenly Father about it. 

Phil. 4:6-7, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made know unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” 

D.    When you are by yourself, do you sometimes sing portions of gospel songs?   

James 5:13, “Is any merry?  Let him sing psalms.” 

E.     And to really feel good about ourselves we need to stop thinking so much about our selves and to commence to consider others and how we can honor and glorify the Heavenly Father. 

Conclusion: 

If you and I will stop postponing until tomorrow what we can do today then our spiritual life will be more complete.  After all, James says, “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” (James 4:17). 

In order for us to feel good about ourselves then we must obtain relief of our guilt feelings. 

--Dub Mowery