Self-Perceived Status Disorder

A man had two sons…

You know this as the story of the Prodigal Son.

Both sons struggled with “self-perceived status disorder.”

When the younger son (the prodigal) finally came home, he begged for a place in his father’s household as a servant. He perceived his status with his father as completely destroyed or severely diminished.

He had self-perceived status disorder.

He believed he was no longer worthy to have son-status and his goal was to be granted slave-status.

When the older son (the self-righteous one) flipped out over the celebration for his younger brother, he said to his father, “All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to – in all that time you never gave me even one feast with my friends.” (Luke 15.29).

He perceived his status with his father as that of a contractual employee or servant.

He had self-perceived status disorder.

He believed his his place in his father’s household was to “slave for you,” hopefully earning bonuses or recognition for all his hard work and compliance.

The father didn’t want servants or slaves.

He wanted sons.

The father clothed his younger son, put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. The threw a massive party celebrating the return of his son.

The father begged his older son to come in and celebrate with him. He said “Everything I have is yours.”

I think we all struggle with “self-perceived status disorder” from time to time.

Here’s a simple reminder: our Father doesn’t want servants or slaves – He wants sons and daughters.

“Because we are his children, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts… Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you his child, God has made you his heir.” (Galatians 4.6, 7)