According to Richard Foster, "self-denial is not the same thing as self-contempt" (Celebration of Discipline). We need to distinguish these two outwardly similar but inwardly very different thoughts. Most of the below are from Foster's book.
Self-contempt - we have no worth, and even if we do have worth, we should reject it.
Self-denial - we are of infinite worth and it shows us how to realize it.
Self-contempt - denies the goodness of creation.
Self-denial - affirms that creation is indeed good.
Self-contempt - there is no way we should love ourselves.
Self-denial - self-love and self-denial are not in conflict, where self-denial is the only sure way to love ourselves according to Jesus (Mt 10:39).
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