The Self-esteem of a Christian
Self-esteem is how you perceive and value yourself and is based on your beliefs and opinions. It can also be described as your self-confidence, your overall personal worth or value, and your confidence in your abilities. Self-esteem can affect your motivation, mental health, and quality of life. Your self-esteem can affect whether you like and value yourself as a person. It can affect how you make decisions and assert yourself. Your self-esteem affects how you treat yourself, believe that you matter that you are good enough, and that you deserve to be happy.
Low self-esteem is the little voice inside your head that is saying you are rubbish, you are fat, what’s the point, you’re not cut out for this, and so on. Low self-worth is a widespread issue for many people. This can impact our relationships, our work, our well-being, and our joy. Feeling inadequate, insecure, and pessimistic is common when facing low self-worth. Yet, there’s a path to conquering these feelings and discovering genuine confidence and happiness. That path is found in our trust in Jesus Christ.
How Can You Raise Your Self-esteem?
To improve self-esteem, we must ensure that the little voice we hear in our head is positive and encouraging. To ensure this we must feed on and focus on things that are uplifting and positive. The Words of the Lord Jesus is very uplifting and positive, and we should feed on them. Do not confuse the little voice with the Still Small Voice of the Holy Spirit.
Philippians 4:13 states, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Jesus Christ offers us unconditional love and a personal understanding. He’s aware of our strengths and weaknesses, our talents and imperfections, our aspirations, and our apprehensions. He knows everything about us and still loves us immeasurably. He sacrificed Himself on the cross to redeem us from our transgressions and to grant us everlasting life. His resurrection demonstrates His might and His magnificence. He is the Son of God, the Ruler of rulers, and the Leader of leaders. He is our rescuer, our redeemer, and our companion.
When we place our faith in Jesus Christ and acknowledge Him as our Lord and Savior we become part of His family. We are adopted into His household and receive His blessings. We are granted His favor and compassion, His tranquility and happiness, His resilience, and His love. Our past mistakes, our defeats, or our inadequacies no longer define us. We are defined by His love, His pardon, and His righteousness. We are treasured, valued, and beautiful in His sight.
We must accept His words, cement it in our minds, believe it in our hearts, and begin to put into practice His words in our lives. James 1: 22-25, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your selves. For if any be a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”
To raise our self-esteem, we must put in action the teachings of the Lord Jesus. Jesus said let the poor declare that they are rich, let the sick declare that they are healed, and let the poor declare that they are rich. Is this a positive affirmation or is this hypocrisy? We have never seen God; we have never touched Him. We have believed what we have been taught about God and I have found that when we put into practice what we have been taught it proves the words of God to be true.
The Word of God can significantly raise our self-esteem in several profound ways. To combat low self-worth, we must refresh our minds with the truths found in God’s Word:
Identity in Christ
Understanding our worth, the Bible teaches us that we are created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:27). Recognizing that we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14) helps us understand our intrinsic value and worth in God’s eyes. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we become children of God (John 1:12). This relationship with God elevates our self-worth and identity as His beloved.
Unconditional Love
The Bible is filled with verses about God’s unconditional love for us (Romans 8:38-39, Jeremiah 31:3). Knowing that we are deeply loved by God, flaws and all, boosts our self-esteem and gives us a sense of belonging and acceptance.
Forgiveness and Redemption
The Bible assures us of God’s forgiveness and grace (Ephesians 1:7, 1 John 1:9). Understanding that we are forgiven and redeemed through Christ’s sacrifice helps us move past guilt and shame, increasing our self-worth.
Purpose and Value
The Bible tells us that God has a plan and purpose for each of us (Jeremiah 29:11, Ephesians 2:10). Recognizing that we have a divine purpose and are valued by God boosts our self-esteem and gives our lives meaning.
Strength and Courage
The Bible teaches us that in our weaknesses, God’s strength is made perfect (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). This understanding empowers us to embrace our imperfections and find strength and courage in God.
Guidance and Wisdom
The Bible provides wisdom and guidance for our lives (Psalm 119:105). Trusting in God’s wisdom and guidance increases our self-esteem by helping us make wise decisions and navigate life’s challenges.
Community and Support
The Bible encourages us to fellowship with other believers (Hebrews 10:24-25). Being part of a supportive Christian community can uplift us, provide encouragement, and reinforce our self-worth.
Hope and Future
The Bible is filled with promises of hope and a bright future (Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:28). Holding onto these promises increases our optimism and raises our self-esteem by reminding us of God’s good plans for us.
Transformation and Renewal
The Bible instructs us to renew our minds with God’s truth (Romans 12:2). Meditating on Scripture and aligning our thoughts with God’s Word transforms our mindset, reduces negative self-talk, and increases self-esteem.
Conclusion
The Word of God elevates our self-esteem by affirming our identity, worth, and purpose in Christ, reminding us of God’s unconditional love, forgiveness, and grace, providing guidance and wisdom, and offering hope, strength, and community. Embracing these truths and internalizing God’s Word enables us to see ourselves as cherished, capable, and empowered individuals, deeply loved and valued by God.