Three aspects of egocentric living are: requirement of a “comfort zone”, constant affirmation, and a bubble of support.
The comfort zone is intended to protect the individual from any outside influence that might weaken the ego or the illusion the person is living under. This illusion may be a religious doctrine, a philosophy, or protection from emotional pain suffered in the past.
How many times have we anchored our doctrine based on what man said concerning Scripture rather that studying the Scripture for ourselves? We often think that successful people have all the revelation about Our Heavenly Father. It is as though their success is attributed to a special anointing therefore every word that proceeds out of their mouth must be true. We need no intermediary between us and Our Heavenly Father other than Jesus. Yes, the fivefold ministry is to build us up but it was not put in place as a substitute for our relationship and fellowship with Our Heavenly Father.
Man’s philosophy usually contains some truth or no one would listen. Often, philosophy is meant to provide answers to mysteries that have not yet been revealed by Our Heavenly Father. Impatience to know and understand often cause a person to seek out a philosophy to fill the void. Why not seek out the Creator of Heaven and earth rather than live with a philosophy of another person.
The comfort zone is sometimes surrounded with a wall of protection. Some extreme emotional pain in the past is often the source of the wall. Abuse of some type by a loved one can scar a person for life unless that person seeks Our Heavenly Father’s Love to mend the scar and forgive the culprit. This wall supports the illusion that you will be protected from anyone wishing to hurt you. However, it only serves to cover up your gifts and calling that are needed by others. Jesus went to the Cross rather than build a wall of protection. Paul and other apostles suffered much to bring forth the Gospel yet an isolated case of misuse or abuse can place a calling under a “basket” where no man can see.
A person requiring constant affirmation is filled with fear and uncertainty. Love has not yet taken root or has been plucked up by some event that has shaken the foundational understanding of the person. If a person is truly rooted and grounded in Love, fear departs. There is nothing that can separate that person from Our Heavenly Father’s Love and he or she will not need reassurance from man. When that Love is deep seated, peace prevails.
The ego builds a bubble of support. As it develops, time, money, and resources all contribute to support the illusion that the ego wants to project. It may be a title or an expensive car. It may be clothes or massive amounts of cosmetic surgery. On the other hand, it could be deprivation that brings attention to oneself. The ego will perpetuate whatever illusion that will bring attention to the person and is known by the amount of energy it consumes. The ego will do whatever is necessary to bring attention to itself. Love gives, the ego consumes. You can be around a person for a short time and determine whether they are a “giver” or a “taker”. The ego will suck the life out of a person at all times. On the other hand, the universe is waiting to empower the person who guides his life by Love and will provide the resources to perpetuate this reality.