Self-Esteem
Whenever I teach a women’s self-esteem group, the over-riding principle that I desperately desire to share with the participants is to let each woman know that she is valuable to the Everlasting God. So many Christians think of self-esteem as a bad thing, but that is so not the truth, in my opinion, when viewed through the lens of each of us being God’s beautiful and unique creation. We are each created with value, and to allow the enemy and voices of this world to tear down the work of His hands is regretable. God does not make mistakes, and we are each given giftings to utilize for Him and His purposes. To devalue His gifts is akin to ungratefulness.
Each woman (and man, too!) is worthy of being treated with honor and respect. I know this because I know that God has created each of us in His image, and He loves each of us so much that He gave his only son as a living sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins and as atonement to be rekindled back into relationship with God himself. I know this, but the young women I teach may not. Whether Christians saved by grace or those yet to be, God has great plans for each person He has made.
While I desperately want to just come right out and tell those I work with that they are special because God made them and that they deserve so much more in this life than what they are settling for at the moment, I often hold my tongue because I want to be sure that I first gain the credibility with them that will allow them to hear me and God’s truth about them. If I just shout out what I believe and know to be true, what I say may be dismissed as some Pollyannaish, conservative Christian positive thinking mumbo jumbo, but if I show up week after week and treat each person with the love of Christ, with respectful words of compassion and kindness, and encourage them through their struggles with wise words of healing (all via the Lord’s leading and ability, of course), I hope that God’s truth will eventually fall on willing and receptive ears.
However, if you are reading this blog, chances are that you may be searching and ready for the truth about you.
If you do not yet realize that you have great value, to whom are you listening? Are you comparing yourself to the air-brushed super-models you see in magazines, to the low expectations of a parent or supposed friend, or to your neighbors, relatives, or some fantasy life on TV?
Whatever you are allowing to tell you anything about yourself that does not make you the apple of God’s eye is a lie. Sin is what separates us from God, but Jesus paid the ultimate price to cleanse us from our sins. When we were still sinners, Jesus died for us. Shouldn’t we, the saved, know who we are in Christ Jesus?
If you are a Christian, woman-of-God, and you are suffering with low self-esteem, I am shouting this truth to you right now: “YOU ARE VALUABLE. GOD MADE YOU. GOD DOES NOT MAKE MISTAKES. YOU ARE THE APPLE OF GOD’s EYE. YOU ARE A PRINCESS because YOUR FATHER IS THE KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS.”
You are special. Choose to believe it; it will change your life. And then, your gifts can shine to share His love with others and change theirs, too!
Let us know in the comments below how you have learned to accept your value!
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