Self-awareness takes shape in community. We know ourselves not in isolation but in the pingbacks we get from others. An obvious illustration is a child in his early years at home. But it continues.
This dimension of self-knowledge is imperfect, because we know one another incompletely and can even be unkind. But still, self-image takes shape in “partnership” with others.
The most important way this works is through Jesus and his loving imputation. He blesses us by redefining us from enemy to friend. We look beyond what we are and receive his authoritative word by faith. This is decisively uplifting.
A secondary way this works is at church, by treating one another according to the same gospel. We look by faith beyond what we see and retrain our perceptions with gospel categories. This too is strongly uplifting.
We can go into church tomorrow with gospel thoughts: “This person I’m shaking hands with is in Christ. This person is a living miracle, a resident of eternity, a knight of the King. Wow.”
It will make a positive difference deep inside that person.