Every person on earth needs to know they matter… that they mean something to someone and that they are valuable. The problem is, when people do not get a good start in life, they often spend precious time in their lives searching for self-worth in all the wrong places.
For those struggling with self-esteem, one must pray for the Lord to continue to transform them into His image. This takes the focus off of self and puts it on the Lord. We were made for God’s designed purpose for His Glory, not the world.
In the day and age of social media, everyone looks happy, successful, and has the perfect life. Self-worth is based off of likes, followers, and who responds to their posts.
In our world today we see that people base their value and importance on:
- What they do instead of knowing that what they do impacts others.
- How much education they have instead of knowing how to use that education to help others
- Who they know instead of knowing God and how He sees them
When worldly standards determine your sense of self-worth, you will always be striving to please people and it will derail you from your God-given purpose in life.
I was recently reminded that those perfect lives often hide a feeling of worthlessness inside that we are afraid to show or talk about.
Where do we begin to find our self-worth if it is not through these things?
The only way to find true security and have a healthy self-esteem is by knowing, experiencing, receiving and accepting the love of God.
God reminds us again and again that we are not what we do, we are someone he loves. God either arranges or allows all circumstances. Sometimes He does removes things in our lives, closes doors that we may not have expected, and gives us disappointments that make us feel lost. It is here that He meets us. These disappointments position us for our calling.
We were made for Him, we were made in His image, and we were made for His will. We have a purpose. We are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Even during difficult times, obedience to Him is always worth it in the end. Doing things God’s way is the only thing that works in the long run.
This season will not stay with you, your heart and soul will start to thrive again. Remember that God is with you and you can rest in his care, now and forever.
The bottom line is, you are valuable because God loves you and He gave His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die for you, so that you may live. Your worth is not based on how you look, who you know, your title at work or any of the other superficial things the world considers impressive. Only God defines who you are – and you are His loved child.
-Dr. Brian Opp, D.C.