Process, not product.  This idea is meant to help educators appreciate the learning that takes place throughout the journey of our students’ education, including the messy and frustrating stretches. But what about our own role as teachers? Are educators allowed to go through their own process of learning, or are they already a finished product?

The education profession is not easy. A typical day in the classroom working with children involves more than a few rough patches between student relationships, class behavior, and general workings of the classroom. Students are to be viewed as works in progress, but only God has the patience and selfless love to truly carry that out. We struggle and grow impatient. When disagreements arise—whether between students or with parents or other adults—teachers are expected to lead with forbearance, gentleness, and respect. Is it safe to say that sometimes educators can feel like the biggest failures? Gerhard Bauer (1983) once wrote, “The persons in the really high-stress situations, who are most susceptible [to burnout], are those who deal with people: teachers; persons who show compassion: teachers; persons who are willing to help others: teachers” (p. 3).  The pressures of the profession cause many teachers to expect themselves to be finished products, perfect Christ-like educators. And when it becomes obvious that we have failed to meet the standard, the red pen comes out and marks a big, fat “F” on our efforts.

In the self-help world we live in, many theorists and psychologists attempt to find solutions to this dilemma. There are theories such as positive psychology, which stresses that all people have qualities that make them worthwhile and meaningful, and humanism, which focuses on internal potential producing personal growth. A familiar theory for the educational field is Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which states that if survival, safety, and feelings of belonging are met, a person will feel self-esteem radiating from within. In short, modern psychology tells people that they have the right to feel good about themselves simply because they are human beings.

Here is where the ideas of mankind fail. If we turn inward to our own abilities and ideals—and are honest with ourselves—we realize we can’t handle everything life throws at us. We can turn outward to the strength of those around us and accept their judgment of our value, but that may not always be favorable. While human theories on self-worth have some merit, what happens when feelings aren’t enough? Where are we left when the pressures, stresses, and self-doubts overwhelm us?

The cold, hard truth is this: every single one of us lacks even a shred of significance. In and of ourselves, we have no self-esteem, no self-worth, no self-confidence.

At creation, God fashioned two perfect human beings who had every reason to be assured of their relationship with their Creator and each other. They were given responsibility to rule over the earth, and they could do so perfectly because they were made in the image of their Creator. However, they fell from perfection and traded their self-image in God for a life of misery, pain, and worthlessness. From them, every person has inherited a nature that is dead to God. All our best works and intentions fall short of anything meaningful in God’s eyes. We can pretend to feel good about ourselves. Maybe we even accomplish an air of self-respect or self-esteem on the outside. But on the inside, when we truly analyze our hearts against God’s standards, we realize that all we can ever be is not enough.

God saw human beings for who we are—lost and helpless souls. However, instead of abandoning us to eternal despair, he plucked us out of the heap of sin and treated us as precious jewels. Through Christ, his Son, we have been made worthy as dearly loved children of our heavenly Father. Jesus sacrificed his life for us, taking our unworthiness and failure upon himself. We are now new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). Martin Luther summed up these scriptural truths when he wrote, “God doesn’t love us because we are valuable; we are valuable because God loves us” (Ehlke, 1990, p. 6). Our identity is no longer found from within ourselves, but from our perfect, loving Savior.

Modern psychology can’t make sense of this illogical view. Worldly views are turned inward, causing Roland Ehlke (1990) to note: “Some . . . writers on the self are openly critical of Christianity, because they feel it is harmful to healthy self‑esteem” (p. 3). The world desperately wants to find fulfillment in the here and now—in people’s accomplishments, strengths, and intelligence. However, in his book Christ-Esteem, Don Matzat (1990) addressed the world’s frantic search for meaning in life and the solution to low self-esteem. He wrote, “Your life in this world, your peace, your joy and contentment is not dependent upon ‘how’ you look. It depends upon ‘where’ you look” (p. 92). Our everyday lives have been transformed by God’s powerful love. By looking to Jesus instead of ourselves, we gain a new self-image that allows us to be confident and secure in our purpose in life and the abilities that God has gifted us.

Just like the world, our sinful, corrupt self-image does not want to shift the focus from ourselves to Christ. Specifically in regard to called workers, Matzat (1990) points out, “Those of us in the public ministry often try to give the impression to our people that we have it together and are totally in control of our lower passions and desires. But . . . you would soon discover that they too live a double life” (p. 120). Bauer (1983) also noted that we often still are “self-critical and deep within may feel inferior.” Yet “why should you feel inferior when you are God’s instrument? You can be so proud and humbly confident of your role as God’s servant” (p. 7).  Challenges in life and in the classroom won’t disappear. Our self-doubts and worries won’t either. However, we have a new motto to stick to: “Please be patient with me—God isn’t finished yet” (Matzat, 1990, p. 190).

Sarah Frost is a junior in the undergraduate program of Martin Luther College, double-majoring in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education. Her article is condensed from an assignment written for an MLC theology course which asked students to apply theological truths to particular ministry issues or concerns.

References

Bauer, Gerhard C. (1983, October). Teacher burnout: are you a candidate? Fairfax MN: Minnesota District Teachers’ Conference. Retrieved from www.wlsessays.net/files/BauerTeacher.rtf

Ehlke, Roland C. (1990, November). Love your neighbor as yourself. Milwaukee WI: Metro North‑South Pastoral Conference North. Retrieved from www.wlsessays.net/files/EhlkeNeighbor.pdf

Matzat, Don. (1990). Christ-Esteem. Eugen, OR; Harvest House.