Good morning…
After reading yesterday’s post, including words of wisdom from our spiritual mentor Betty Skinner, one friend texted me along with another friend.
- Know who and whose you are.
- Remember, “Gratitude is everything.”
- Keep your mouth shut and your heart open.
“These are my favorites!!!” she said.
“Agreed!” replied our other friend. “I was thinking of the 5 C’s as well. I need to look those up again.”
We all knew what she meant when she wrote about the 5 C’s. In the pages of The Hidden Life Awakened, Betty Skinner taught us about the 5 C’s of the false self.
- Competing
- Comparing
- Complaining
- Controlling
- Condemning ourselves or others
When we find ourselves caught up in these negative thoughts and feelings, our false self is covering over the true self in our soul. Our “false self” tendencies grab our attention, raising a red flag, indicating another opportunity for spiritual growth.
Instead of competing, we trust, “I am enough just as I am.” Instead of comparing, we believe, “All of us are made to be unique.” Instead of complaining, we expect, “God is working out all things for good.” Instead of controlling, we surrender, “Lord, I trust your power.” Instead of condemning, we release, “God is not done with us yet.”
We trust.
We believe.
We expect.
We surrender.
We release.
Our false self is gradually burned away as fuel our growth. “The grace of God is in our growth,” said a woman in our group this week.
“He (Jesus) came to tear down the walls that divide us from ourselves and from each other, create new ways of seeing, and remind us of our amazing heritage as God’s beloved children,” wrote Betty on page 4. “Now He waits longingly for us to dare to trust Him enough to joyfully and fearlessly put our hand in His and make the choice to travel inward, uncovering and recovering our true self and our ‘life hidden with Christ in God.'”
As we seek self-sufficiency, we build a thick wall around our heart – competing, comparing, complaining, controlling, condemning. When the moment is right, Jesus comes to us personally, tearing down the walls that divide us from ourselves and from each other. We are set ablaze with the Spirit of the living God.
The 5 C’s of our false self? Real good kindling.
That is why I would remind you to stir up (rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning) the [gracious] gift of God, [the inner fire] that is in you (2 Timothy 1:6a, AMPC).
…Sue…
