Drowning in the Bottomless Sea of Self-Infatuation
There’s a trap that looks like wisdom. It masquerades as self-awareness, wears the robe of introspection, and promises spiritual depth. But it’s not wisdom. It’s navel gazing—and it’s killing our momentum, our relationships, and sometimes even our faith.
Let’s call it what it is: self-infatuation.
A bottomless sea where the deeper you go, the more you lose yourself and the kingdom assignment you’ve been called to.
What Is Navel Gazing, Really?
We talkin’ oranges or belly buttons? Good question. We’re talking belly buttons ya’ll…head pointed downward obsessing on yo self.
Navel gazing is the obsessive habit of staring inward—overanalyzing your thoughts, your motives, your decisions and flaws. It’s the kind of reflection that doesn’t lead to growth, just more reflection and eventually an impotent life..a flicker of light and pinch of salt, at best.
Here’s the problem: when you obsess over yourself, you shrink your world. You start to believe your feelings define truth. You start to believe your flaws are your identity and your inner monologue is the final authority. Houston, we have a problem!
But Don’t We Need Self-Reflection?
HECK YES! Self-reflection is critical and something to invest in. I recommend Christian Counseling, Spiritual Direction, Soul Care Retreats, Personality Assessments and Podcasts. I promote the Pause App, Contemplative Prayer, Solitude Retreats and all John Mark Comers stuff. But we are not called to be Monks, we are called to make disciples. One should lead to the other.
The self-care practices above have helped me tremendously over the years, BUT self-reflection should result in a life that pushes back darkness and makes heaven more crowded. My fear is that in “ruthlessly eliminating hurry,” we’ve overcorrected and are now on the brink of ruthlessly eliminating urgency.
Biblical self-examination leads to conviction, which leads to confession, which leads to compassion, which leads to a commissioned life.
You’ve been saved to be SENT, not to stare at your navel for the rest of your life. Far too often, navel gazing keeps you off mission while falsely concluding that this is the “deep life” of spiritual maturity.
Nope.
Is there anything “deeper” than giving your life away for the benefit of others and for the glory of God?
Think about it like this: Healthy self-awareness always points to something beyond the self—toward God, others, and His kingdom. This is what we see in the life of Jesus. Who was healthier than Jesus? Who was “deeper” than the Founder of our Faith?
Healthy self-care and self-awareness never terminate on themselves. They have a direction and outcome that lifts your eyes beyond the ‘ole navel to see and bless the world around you.
4 tips to guard against Navel Gazing
Confess without obsessing. Own the truth, then move forward in grace.
Act instead of overanalyzing. Reflection without movement is just ego in disguise.
Serve someone. The fastest way out of your own head is into someone else’s world. Read that again!
Root your identity in Christ—not in your feelings, fears, failures or Enneagram. 😉
Final Thought:
If you feel like you’re drowning in a sea of self-infatuation, here’s your lifeline:
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” – Hebrews 12:2
Don’t get stuck staring ONLY inward. Look up. Look out and get moving.
There’s life beyond the mirror—and it’s where you’re meant to spend the majority of your time.
Stay Salty and Stay Ready.