Psalm 5:2 English Standard Version (ESV) Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray.

Speaking again to the issues of emotional needs, I can speak to this one, attention. When tested it was found that my primary need is attention.

Imagine yourself walking into a gathering of people you know. As you enter no one greets you, no one acknowledges your presence, and you appear to be invisible to everyone. How would that make you feel?

They say that hate is the opposite of love, it is not it is indifference. Lack of attention is received as indifference. It does not need be real to be felt. Expectation of indifference can be felt regardless of the reality.

We have greeters at church to negate those emotions. No one comes in without attention being paid to them to let them know they matter. Attention is emotionally connected to self-worth. It differs from value because it is expected regardless of activity or position. Age has nothing to do with it. It infects the young and old alike.

In my past I would overcompensate by being very vocal even to the point of dominating the conversation. I would not allow people to ignore me, even if I had to be argumentative. It was once pointed out to me that I would argue with the wall. It never occurred to me that my behavior could elicit the same emotional frustrations in others that I was seeking to avoid.

I have to work hard not to allow my need for attention to interfere with relationships.

If no one is asking about you, ask about them. “How are you doing?” Find a way to make that sound insincere. We should be sincere because nothing prompts attention from others any faster than sincerity.

Love one another as directed in John 13:34. It works.

Leviticus 27:12 English Standard Version (ESV) and the priest shall value it as either good or bad; as the priest values it, so it shall be.

We have been talking about emotional needs and feeling valued is one of those needs. It may not be on the top of most people’s lists but we must admit it can be seen in the actions of others. Artists of all different types want to be valued even if they do not receive financial rewards in what they do.

Wives want to be valued for what they do for their loved ones. Appreciation is always welcomed for a job well done. Some find self-worthy in their abilities, skilled or not. Praise in right behavior keeps a child on the right path. Criticism is destructive.

Happy is the man who can find satisfaction in his work beyond financial reward. Work just for a paycheck can lead to drudgery.

Ecclesiastes 2:11 English Standard Version (ESV) Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.

A sense of worth is an ancient emotion. Do we strive to be successful or better? They are not the same. You can set goals to climb the corporate ladder or you could strive to make varsity. The drive is the same, value.

It is not what you value, it is the deeper part of you that says I am worthy. It is earnest righteousness.

1 Timothy 6:10-12 English Standard Version (ESV) ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. ¹¹ But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. ¹² Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.