Can You Rid Yourself of Inferiority?

 Domestic violence exists in families because the offender believes the lie that physical force is the only way to settle conflicts and disputes. Another lie connected to family violence is that feelings of inferiority are caused other people. Eleanor Roosevelt stated, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

The perpetrator of family violence has to face their inferiority, which is linked closely to fear. This is difficult because it demands a change in how to cope with the pressures of life. Eleanor Roosevelt also believed, “You gain courage and confidence by doing what you think you cannot do.”

The opposite of inferiority is self-assurance, which is gained through trust in yourself and God’s word. David asked God to create in him a clean heart. God’s grace and mercy diminish the power of inferiority and replace it with faith strong enough for change. Ask God for courage to make this transition.

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I trust in God and am not afraid; I praise him for what he has promised. What can a mere human being do to me?

~Psalm 56:4 Good News Bible

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What Lie Do Perpetrators of Family Violence Believe?

One explanation for violence in the home is feelings of inferiority in the offenders. Anything that threatens to expose these feelings is often met with anger that transforms into aggression. Aggressive acts of family violence are actually attempts to cover fear of loss of control and power.

For most people, authority is made obvious by the person’s natural gifts and talents, their leadership skills as well as being someone who can be trusted and respected. Feelings of inferiority are identified by low self-esteem, low self-worth, not measuring up, and fear of being subordinate to others.

The perpetrator of family violence may or may not recognize these markers. The big lie is, “I am strong and I will prove it through anger and violence.” Proverbs 4 gives this advice: “Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.” You can change the lies you tell yourself by substituting the truth of God’s word.

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This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord.

~Jeremiah 9:23-24 New International Version

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Subscribe to the Attitudes Answers podcast on your favorite podcast platform to hear this and other 2-minute features 3 days every week.