Self-Image and the Four Windowpanes

There are many perspectives for how we are viewed as individuals: our personal perception, other people’s opinions, and God’s perspective. The only perspective that is complete and accurate is God’s. To understand the various perspectives we will consider a popular tool used to explain processes of communication, the “Johari Window.” It describes four windowpanes that each present a different perspective.

1. The Open Self

2. The Hidden Self

3. The Blind Self

4. The Unknown Self

The first pane is called the Open Self. It represents the self that we and everyone around us sees. It includes obvious things: appearance, general personal history, name, age, and anything that we allow people to know about us.

The second pane is the Hidden Self that represents what we ourselves see, but other people cannot see. This is our private world of thoughts, hopes and desires. In these first two perspectives our sense of identity is restricted.

The third pane is the Blind Self. This represents what other people see about us, but we ourselves do not see. For example: we may feel like a failure while other people view us as competent and talented. When others communicate what they see in us, they may help to remove the blindness in this area.

The fourth pane is the Unknown Self, and it represents what neither we nor anyone else sees in us. It consists of forgotten experiences that have shaped our behavior, hidden motives, and deep hurts that we have subconsciously locked away. The unknown self is the most difficult to change because no one can see it.

To alter our internal identity, we need a perspective far greater than we or other people can provide; a person with a perspective that can see the big picture and see all four window panes at one time. God sees all and is the only one trustworthy for this job. He is loving enough to accept us as we are, powerful enough to help us correct what we are unable to see and powerless to change, and is motivated to help us be molded to His image and nature. The key to altering our identity is to know God, who He is, and who He says we are.

Jesus showed us the nature and character of God by walking as God incarnate on earth.

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.” Colossians 1:15-16

Colossians 3:10-11 says for us to, “…put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”

2 Corinthians 3:18 clearly shows us that we are called to reflect the glory of God.

“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

To be changed into the image of God and to see ourselves through God’s eyes, we must begin by fully understanding the character and nature of God.

Dr. Michele

Copyright © 2014 by Michele Fleming Ph.D.