Recover Your Identity as a Child of GodSample

Aspects of Dignity, Respect, and Integrity 

Dignity, respect, and integrity are the core values of every human being, and they can help us develop ourselves to the dimension that God wants us to operate on. These three elements create our identity; when we strengthen them, they allow us to regain our identity as children of God. 

One of the aspects of dignity is, in the first place, the appreciation of just being. Nothing external makes us more valuable; we are all made in the image of God, so we do not search for value elsewhere to obtain it. Another aspect is our capacity to love. God is love and we are the image of God. When I strengthen the value of dignity in my life, I have the ability to love others as I love myself. 

Through dignity, we also find the ability to recognize others. I recognize their strengths and abilities. I value other people without competing with them. I have no problem with someone else being better than myself in a certain area. This strengthens a sense of belonging, I can become an ally, be part of others, and be a good team player. When you do not depend on anyone else but God for your self-worth, you can create strong and healthy relationships. Codependent relationships exist when people do not understand they are valuable because they bear the image of who God is. 

One of the consequences of respect is considering your life and the life of others. I respect myself, but I also respect the opinions and ways of other people, since they, too, are made in the image of God. Another aspect of respect is obedience. Because I am made in the image of God, I obey my authorities. This is why another aspect of respect is to follow and comply with the rules. 

Aspects of integrity are honesty and truthfulness. I am honest and do not do anything improper in my life because I am made in the image of God. There is also the aspect of responsibility; I am reliable and fulfill my obligations. There is another aspect, which is “order.” God is a God of order; I was made in His image, therefore, I possess order within me. 

When we are walking in dignity, respect, and integrity, we should see their impact in all our relationships. Transformation, the ability to care about other people’s problems, and personal growth are all related to the three core values.