My friend, I can see that you're going through a tough time. It's natural to feel like you're losing everything, but I want to share with you a principle that has helped me in my own life as a pastor. It's from Luke 9:24, where Jesus says, "Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it." You see, it's when we let go of our own desires and expectations, and pour ourselves out for others, that we find our true selves and our real dignity.
As I reflect on this, I'm reminded of the importance of humility. It's not about losing ourselves in the sense of becoming nothing, but about losing our pride and our attachment to our own will. When we make a serious attempt to practice the Christian virtues, we begin to see that our dignity isn't based on what we have or achieve, but on who we are in Christ. It's a liberating experience, really, to let go of our need for control and recognition, and to trust in God's goodness and sovereignty.
So, how can you keep your dignity when you're losing everything? By losing yourself, my friend. Not in a negative sense, but in a positive one. By pouring yourself out for others, by serving, by sacrificing, you'll find that your true dignity is revealed. It's not about what you have or achieve, but about who you are in Christ. And when you can bear the removal of temporal comforts with humility, self-denial, and patience, you'll find that your dignity is not diminished, but enhanced.