by Jenny Harrison
Walk into any bookstore and you will find hundreds of books written to improve self-esteem, identity, and worth. But according to Dr. John F. Taylor Ph.D., psychologist from Oregon, the problem is there are serious GAPS in our understanding and subsequently teaching positive self- worth to our children.
Grandiosity
“Affectedly grand or important; pompous: grandiose words. More complicated or elaborate than necessary; overblown: a grandiose scheme.”
The Bible teaches:
“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.”
Proverbs 16:18-19 (ESV)
Arrogance
“An insulting way of behaving and thinking that comes from believing that you are better, smarter, or more important than other people.”
“For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.”
Romans 12:3 (ESV)
Perfectionism
“A personal standard, attitude, or philosophy that demands perfection and rejects anything less.”
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV)
Selfishness
“Devoted to or caring only for oneself; concerned primarily with one’s own interests, benefits, or welfare, regardless of others.”
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV)
Dear Heavenly Father, I come to you today earnestly pleading with you to reveal the GAPS in my actions and attitudes. Convict me when I choose to focus on the GAPS in my brother or sister but refuse to recognize my own. Fill my GAPS with your unfailing love, compassion, and wisdom. In Your most Holy name I pray.
Copyright © 2015, Jenny Harrison, all rights reserved, Breath of Life Women’s Ministries. Image from Pinterest and http://add-plus.com. The scriptures added are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Definitions from dictionary.com.
The GAPS concept was reprinted with permission from Dr. John F. Taylor Ph.D.
Website: http://add-plus.com
John F. Taylor, Ph.D., is a clinical specialist and has become a nationally-known author and speaker. Dr. Taylor has treated hundreds of children, adolescents and adults symptomatic of Sensory Processing Disorder occurring in most individuals with ADHD and on the autism spectrum. He is a strong advocate of a multi-dimensional approach to treatment, incorporating principles from behavioral health along with sensory-motor interventions and addressing brain physiological processes. The father of four children with these symptoms, Dr. Taylor has produced 30 major works in this field including landmark publications such as Learn to Have Fun with Your Senses (for sensory-avoiding children) and The Survival Guide for Kids with ADD or ADHD. Listed in Who’s Who Among Service Professionals, Who’s Who in the West, and The International Who’s Who of Professionals, Dr. Taylor has been a guest on nationally broadcast interview shows, a featured columnist and a producer of landmark video and audio learning tools to assist these children and teens, including The School Success Tool Kit and The ADD Student at School. An innovator in the field of diagnosis, he is a consultant and item writer for Wechsler and other intelligence scales, the co-developer of the Taylor-Graham Simplified Version of the MMPI and the developer of the Taylor Hyperactivity Screening Checklist. Dr. Taylor has been a psychology instructor at UT-Chattanooga and has presented to thousands of clinicians, therapists, teachers and parents nationwide. He earned his Ph.D. and MA in psychology from Kent State University.
