Narcissus of Greek mythology, as
we may or may not recall, peered into the pond to gain the vain reflection of
his image; to take on just a little more than a healthy self-interest. He is
not alone.
We all suffer from a little narcissism.
We are embarrassed to be caught
out taking pictures of ourselves, whether literally or metaphorically, because
we have the instinct that narcissism is a bad reflection on our character, as
if peering into that pond revealed something distasteful because of what others
observe about us.
Embarrassment is normal because
none of us truly wants to be seen as self-lovers, even though loving ourselves
(or better, accepting ourselves) is a vital psychological place to arrive at. Only in
accepting, or knowing, ourselves can we go on in the journey of knowing God.
There is a balance to be achieved
when it comes to narcissistic traits.
The Benefits of a Little Narcissism
Sometimes, if we were to reject
our propensity toward narcissism, we would be denying our imperfect nature.
Such a denial is a denial of God.
This is so because where we consider ourselves beyond a little narcissism, we
call God a liar, because we accredit ourselves to proudly to perfection. None
of us is perfect, ever. Only the glorified Lord
is perfect, in all ways, eternally. This is an unparalleled and most extreme
truth.
That is one benefit of a little
narcissism—that we are honest with ourselves.
When we are honest, agreeing with
God that by nature we struggle with narcissism, we allow God to show us our
fault. We are not so embarrassed or ashamed to stare into the pond to see what
is embarrassing to us as masturbation is (if it were to be revealed to others).
It is always good to know the
truth.
When we know our nature for
mirror-gazing, and the circumstances and effects of such behaviours, then, and
only then, may we see our fault and grow. We grow because we have allowed God
to search us, to reveal to ourselves our penchant for narcissism.
A little healthy narcissism helps
open the door. Once that door is ajar, God will come in, reveal our lack, and
help us fix it, or at least help us be honest about it.
***
Those who are morbidly fearful of
narcissism—the embarrassing self-love to mirror-gaze—are not open to what God
might show them in their narcissism.
When we allow God into the rooms
of our narcissistic selves, we give the Lord permission to reveal opportunities
for our growth. God never forces himself in. But when we invite the Holy Spirit
in, we benefit, we grow, and are happier ultimately as a result.
© 2013 S. J. Wickham.
Image Credit: Wikipedia.
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