This is Thanksgiving in Canada, as I write. I received a
Thanksgiving greeting this weekend from a friend who also reminded me that I
had not blogged since May. Obviously a little bit of encouragement worked, so
here I am doing an article which I should have done in June.
Today I will write about the fourth point on the self –
compass, strength. You may need to review the previous posts to refresh your memory on the other compass points. I apologise for the lengthy interval.
According to Dan Montgomery, “strength reflects the human need
for competence, adequacy, and social visibility”. Things like achievement,
drive, enthusiasm, dedication, and perseverance are contributions of strength
that enhance a person’s confidence and creativity as a worthwhile human being.
The absence of such deprives one of an identity. A manipulative trend occurs
when esteem, confidence and a sense of adequacy are turned into controlling,
dictating and judging. This can lead to
a narcissistic compulsive disorder and also to psychotic mania. Hence, the need
for balance between strength and weakness. (Uncertainty, vulnerability and soul-searching
which can lead to developing humility and empathy for others).
The perfect example for understanding the dynamics of
balanced human behaviour is Jesus Christ. In the Good Shepherd we see His love
and caring, in the Lion of Judah we see his assertion and courage. In the Lamb
of God we see His weakness and humility, In the Prince of Peace we see His
strength and esteem. The rhythm of His personality prevented Him from being
stuck on any one point of the self-compass. He gives us an example to follow but
we need help to achieve this balance.
Compass Therapy was
developed by Dan Montgomery to redeem self-defeating rigidity that is
perpetuated by being stuck on various compass points. It offers a dynamic set of checks and balances
to help develop wholeness while navigating through life. According to one counsellor, the
self- compass shows people how they’re put together so they can learn to live
together.
This completes the four points on the self-compass, Love,
Assertion, Weakness and Strength. Love
forms the virtue of caring. Assertion, the virtue of courage, Weakness the
virtue of humility and Strength, the virtue of esteem. The counterbalancing
virtues of caring and courage, and humility and esteem develop in us when we
honor the LAWS of personality and relationships.
I hope you have
gained valuable insight from these posts on the Laws of personality and relationships, may they serve to be
valuable to you in giving direction for your human and spiritual growth.
For more information visit, www.compasstherapy.com
Reference: Christian Counselling That Really Works/Dan
Montgomery
Until next time,
Blessings!
Pastor Harold
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