An ego is a very common animal. In and of itself, it isn’t a bad thing, but the untrained ego can bring untold misery. You think training your dog or cat is difficult, you’re going to need a lot of time and patience to train your ego. Here are some starting points in properly caring for it.
Where to keep your ego:
Your ego will run free if you allow it, but this is unhealthy. Some mistakenly believe that the best place for their ego is always in front and they display it everywhere to defend against any newcomers. The problem with this is that it gets very jealous and will eventually think it needs to be between you and anyone you are talking to. The proper place for your ego is behind you. When it barks for attention or tries to interject, you calmly tell it “not now†and go about your business.
Also, be sure you leash train your ego. You don’t want it jumping up on everyone causing hurt feelings and potential lawsuits.
What to feed your ego:
There’s a lot of junk food out there that your ego will want and seems to thrive on. Some of the most popular brands of food are “I’m amazing,†“Anyone would be lucky to have me,†and “I’m too good for them anyway.†Stay away from these because they lack the nutrition necessary to maintain a healthy ego. They will become bloated and increasingly agitated and unmanageable. After a while, it becomes increasingly difficult for a healthy lifestyle.
Even if you’ve made mistakes, seek out the best food for your ego and be sure not to give it scraps. Look for “My abilities in perspective†and “What God says about me.†These will provide the balance of nutrition you need. Your ego will look better, feel better, and interact with others so much better.
The importance of training your ego:
As mentioned, it cannot be overstated how important it is to train your ego.  Those who allow it to run wild and free find frequent messes to clean up and a string of needless complications. You must socialize it with others, but don’t allow it to get carried away. It’s fine for a friend or acquaintance to pet or stroke your ego, but they must understand your ego’s proper place. Once it feels dominant, the problems begin. It will attempt to exert its influence in everything from your work and home to your relationships.
Some ego get hurt or bruised easily, but this is okay. Don’t rush to heal them. Take time and be patient. The instinct is to give them too much attention, but this not necessary. Keep feeding and training them even when they are hurt (even if you have to take it more slowly).
As with any other beast, the ego can be a great asset and friend if you train it properly and take care of it. The key is to recognize what it is and what it is not. It can’t be your sole means of defense, your go-between for new people, and it certainly cannot be your whole world.
Be watchful and careful and you’ll be just fine.
6God “will give to each person according to what he has done.” 7To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. (Romans 2:6-8)
How do you take care of your ego?
This post is part of Bridget Chumbley’s ‘One Word at a Time’ blog carnival where this time, the prompt is “Ego.†Be sure to go and check out all the posts there.
27 Comments
This is brilliant, Jason. Great post.
Glynn recently posted..Ego or Ego Sum
Thank you Glynn.
It is fed a pretty regular diet of praise and compliments. When I find it’s getting too fat, I just visit my family.
katdish recently posted..Kicking and Screaming by Billy Coffey
Works every time! Thanks Kat.
That’s awesome! Where’s my family?
herbhalstead recently posted..between2loves
Love this approach, Jason. Kathy is right… that is certainly a great way to deflate any ego!
Bridget recently posted..Ego Blog Carnival
Thanks Bridget!
One of the best ways for me to keep my ego in check is to remind myself that there is only one God and I ain’t Him. I do think that one of the greatest enemies to our ego is surrounding ourselves with “yes” men who are afraid to stand up and say “no” for fear of either losing their place in our lives or of being reprimanded. When that happens it only goes to show an ego unchecked. Great advice here Jason.
Bill (cycleguy) recently posted..unParalyzed
Great point. Being surrounded with “yes men” will leave everyone ultimately unfulfilled and disappointed. Thanks Bill.
So funny! I try to continue to remind mine of who have been and it shuts up. (usually -- sometimes it takes some persistence).
kelly@tabithas-team recently posted..Mommy-Ego
Persistence is important! Thank you, Kelly.
This is way funny. If I had a basement I would definitely chain my ego up down there and feed it raw steaks.
But seriously this is a very good post.
michael recently posted..Camping Inside
Ooh, but what if it ever got out. Sounds kinda dangerous.
Thanks Michael!
I suffer all too often from “the disease of me.†…keeping my ego in check involves a different focus…one off of ME!
Max Lucado says this:
“When our deepest desire is not the things of God or a favor from God but God himself, we cross a threshold. Less self-focus, more God focus. Less about me, more about him.â€
The threshold we cross over is freedom, powerful, relational freedom. Self-promotion, self- preservation, and self-centerness, all fade when our focus is on Him.
Good thoughts Bro’ (not that I’m trying to build up your ego or anything!)
No, that’s called encouragement and I receive that!
It’s so true and still sometimes so hard to remember, it’s all about Him. It’s not what we can do for God or get from God. It’s just knowing Him and everything else flows from that.
Thank you, Jay! I appreciate you.
Tell the truth now Jason… You feed your ego sweater vests, don’t you?
Wendy recently posted..Um- those arent my handcuffs
I used to, Wendy, but I got so tired of the hairballs.
My wife is great at keeping my ego in check…and I love her for it! Something about cleaning up dog mess and toilets helps me remember my place!
Seriously, I count on friends and my quiet time to keep my ego from taking over: “I am nothing without God.”
Dusty Rayburn recently posted..Blessings or Woes
Wives are very good about that. Great suggestions too --quiet time with God helps keep things in perspective. Thank you Dusty.
Next time I meet a new person, I’m going to glance behind me at my ego and say “DOWN GIRL!”.
Thanks for the advice and helping me to socialize properly.
Helen recently posted..The Pendulum of Self Importance
You know I’m here to help, Helen! If you need any other social advice, you know where to find me.
I agree 100% with Glynn. Brilliant.
Does your ego like that?
LOL. No seriously, It was creative, poignant and I’ll remember this post.. the next time my ego calls.
And you know your ego will call.
Thanks Bonnie!
Another vote for brilliant. I have to frequently adjust my focus.
Sandra Heska King recently posted..So What Is Real
Thanks Sandra.
Pastor Jason, I started reading this a couple days ago and just went back to complete the reading. And I agree, this is an awesome piece. Thank you for this and all of the other anointed articles you share each day.
I have a question? Is an unchecked ego and pride first cousins or identical twins?
Thanks Sherry! I think I would definitely classify pride and unchecked ego in the same category. We either make it a servant or we will serve it, there is no other choice. Thanks for the comment- really appreciate it.