Where Do You Put Yourself in Your List of Priorities?

I’m good with God being first but I do need to do a better job of placing myself second instead of third or fourth. :)

When first reading this huge neon signs were flashing “NO! NO! NO!” But, the blare of it died out with this, “think of it as preparation to serve others.” Reading your examples only made more sense. Not that I’ve mastered taking care of myself to the fullest, but I’m a work in progress. I want to serve others, especially the family..but need to do the simple things that will give me the energy to do them.

Finding ME!!!!

Ive always but others before me even when I try very hard not 2… I was in 4yr relationship and put their needs b4 mines and I began to lie, cheat and steal in the relationship. I had to learn the hard way on why its so important to put me 1st…

 Putting others first leads to being unable to take care of ourselves. Recently, so very many people have helped me. For example, one day a few weeks ago 17 friends helped me on the same day. Just because I asked. The love I still feel from that day and the others is wonderfully warming in my heart, way stronger than the pain of recovering from major surgery, among other things. God continues to hold me close, sharing the love of so many people with me. 

You are not alone.

all of this is a new revelation to me after seeking help from my vicar at church yesterday for several demanding family problems (one of 10 years lasting) he mentioned the need to take care of myself I would like to know more

I know this is an old post, however, its still as good and relevant now as then so I’m not affraid to comment. Thank you for this, but I do have a problem with it.

Your initial post left a bit lacking in understanding your true point and intentions but the comments more than made up for it and helped me understand your true intentions and overall meaning which I agree with.

However, one thing I would like to point out is a very simple yet major change which this entire subject and your post/lesson would benefit from. For good reason, many people see their “self” as different things. Due to each individuals own interpretations and the many things to learn from scripture regarding ones “self” your statement about putting ones ”self” first may come across in different contexts.

I see my “self” as a part of me that I battle in my desire to abide by the word and grow spiritually and follow the Lord. My “self” is the part of me that wants what it wants, regardless of all else. Its the part that wants to watch TV when I should be serving, wants to go shopping and by myself things I don’t need when I should be putting that money into my family needs and the offering. The part of myself that wants to shovel junk food instead of maintaining a healthy diet. The part that is proud and boasts of my own status and prizes instead of being humble and sharing love and encouragment with others. “Self” can be viewed very badly in terms of putting myself first.

I do understand though that your not talking about putting this version of “self” first but considering how many different ways people translate and filter what they read and learn the possibility to give the wrong impression is still there. I believe it would be better served to say to put your needs first, not your “self” first. Clearly, any servant has to have their needs met to be of any use to anyone. To be of use to our lord, our needs must be met to be alive and well and ready as a useful tool. Putting my needs first makes total sense, putting myself first is very vague and can easily be construed into wrong ideas.

This way we can easily describe and understand what our needs are in order to follow our savior and serve others. The need to maintain your health. and the need to support your family and provide for those who rely on you for example. It all becomes much more self explanatory than putting “myself” first to each individuals own terms and extent.