Have you heard about the Napoleon complex?  Supposedly, because Napoleon was so short, his sense of inadequacy led him to over-compensate – to throw his weight around.  Maybe.  He did, of course, end up throwing his weight all around Europe and altered the history of Western civilization.  That may be too much to attribute to the psychological trauma of being shorter than most other men, but, speaking as a short man, you never know. 

Closely related to the “Napoleon Complex” is what I like to call the “Indignation Index.”  When someone fails to treat you with the proper dignity, this triggers a response in us.  With some people it barely registers.  With others it is off the charts.  It all depends on the rating of your “Indignation Index.”  Not all affronts to dignity carry the same weight.  An over-familiar salesperson may be spared the icy stare you would like to give, but you may never get over the indignity of being reduced to tears before your classmates by a teacher who was a bully.  The #metoo movement has forced us all to think about the indignities suffered by women who are sexually harassed.

Paul and Silas were stripped and beaten with rods before being jailed in Philippi.  All of this was manifestly unjust.  They had been falsely accused and had not been tried.  Later the magistrates sent word privately that they could leave the jail.  Paul’s indignation index was through the roof.  His dignity as a man and as a Roman citizen had been violated.  He insisted that the magistrates who had publicly stripped and beaten him publicly release him.  They did. (Read all about it in Acts 16:16-40.) Paul held closely to the dignity of his Roman citizenship (and it probably led to his death in Rome).

As a person who suffers from an overly high “Indignation Index,” God has reminded me repeatedly that my dignity is not a matter of class or position or age.  My dignity, like yours, is as one who was created in the image and likeness of God, as a person for whom Christ gave his life.  You can disrespect my intellect, my good will, my position and my status all you want, but nothing can take away my inherent dignity.

Prayer:  Holy One, you have made us for yourself and we are your daughters and sons.  Remind us today that no insult or slight can ever change this inherent dignity you have conferred upon us.  Amen.