1 Samuel 13:3-4, "Then Saul had the trumpet blown throughout the land and said, ‘Let the Hebrews hear!' So, all Israel heard the news: ‘Saul has attacked the Philistine outpost, and now Israel has become obnoxious to the Philistines.'" James 4:6, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

Think

In 2014, the term "selfitis" began as a tabloid hoax. Today, it's a genuine mental disorder that affects scores of people. And though it may sound silly, it's sadly a microcosm of something far greater. The need to boast on every post, to be affirmed in every comment, to prove one's own importance is a glaring problem in our culture. It's a deep-seated issue that cuts to the core of who we are and what we value. In today's reading, Saul had a serious case of "selfitis." He literally tooted his own horn. He stood before the nation and basically said: "Look at me and how amazing I am!" Why? Because he sought people's praise when he should have been praising God for Israel's big win! His need to be on top became the beginning of his downfall. Self-awareness, truly knowing our identity, strengths and weaknesses before God, is the perfect cure for "selfitis." But we can't begin to know who we are without knowing the One who made us. As we begin to seek our primary approval from God, we will begin to see that our value is found in Christ. So, rather than feeding off who people say we are, let's feed on God's Word and who he says we are. Ultimately, it will shift our priority from making ourselves famous to making God famous!

Act

Take a moment to scroll through your social media accounts. What does your feed say about you? Whatever you discover, talk with God about it and remember: You are who he says you are, nothing more, nothing less!

Pray

Dear Lord, thank you for the victories I have experienced, and those to come. Help me to always remember that you are the source of every good thing. I am proud to be created in your image and made for great things! I am who you say I am: loved, chosen, forgiven, capable and, most of all, your child! In Jesus' name, Amen.