Process, not product. \u00a0This idea is meant to help educators appreciate the learning that takes place throughout the journey of our students\u2019 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?<\/p>\n
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\u2014whether between students or with parents or other adults\u2014teachers 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, \u201cThe 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\u201d (p. 3). \u00a0The 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 \u201cF\u201d on our efforts.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Here is where the ideas of mankind fail. If we turn inward to our own abilities and ideals\u2014and are honest with ourselves\u2014we realize we can\u2019t 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\u2019t enough? Where are we left when the pressures, stresses, and self-doubts overwhelm us?<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s 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\u2019s standards, we realize that all we can ever be is not enough.<\/p>\n
God saw human beings for who we are\u2014lost 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\u201d (Ehlke, 1990, p. 6). Our identity is no longer found from within ourselves, but from our perfect, loving Savior.<\/p>\n
Modern psychology can\u2019t make sense of this illogical view. Worldly views are turned inward, causing Roland Ehlke (1990) to note: \u201cSome . . . writers on the self are openly critical of Christianity, because they feel it is harmful to healthy self\u2011esteem\u201d (p. 3). The world desperately wants to find fulfillment in the here and now\u2014in people\u2019s accomplishments, strengths, and intelligence. However, in his book Christ-Esteem, <\/em>Don Matzat (1990) addressed the world\u2019s frantic search for meaning in life and the solution to low self-esteem. He wrote, \u201cYour life in this world, your peace, your joy and contentment is not dependent upon \u2018how\u2019 you look. It depends upon \u2018where\u2019 you look\u201d (p. 92). Our everyday lives have been transformed by God\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n 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, \u201cThose 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\u201d (p. 120). Bauer (1983) also noted that we often still are \u201cself-critical and deep within may feel inferior.\u201d Yet \u201cwhy should you feel inferior when you are God\u2019s instrument? You can be so proud and humbly confident of your role as God\u2019s servant\u201d (p. 7). \u00a0Challenges in life and in the classroom won\u2019t disappear. Our self-doubts and worries won\u2019t either. However, we have a new motto to stick to: \u201cPlease be patient with me\u2014God isn\u2019t finished yet\u201d (Matzat, 1990, p. 190).<\/p>\n 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.<\/em><\/p>\n References<\/strong><\/p>\n Bauer, Gerhard C. (1983, October). Teacher burnout: are you a candidate?<\/em> Fairfax MN: Minnesota District Teachers\u2019 Conference. Retrieved from www.wlsessays.net\/files\/BauerTeacher.rtf<\/p>\n Ehlke, Roland C. (1990, November). Love your neighbor as yourself.<\/em> Milwaukee WI: Metro North\u2011South Pastoral Conference North. Retrieved from www.wlsessays.net\/files\/EhlkeNeighbor.pdf<\/p>\n Matzat, Don. (1990). Christ-Esteem. <\/em>Eugen, OR; Harvest House.<\/p>\nShare this:<\/h3>