Self-Esteem

Self-Esteem

            Today’s blog is going to be quite different. If really has nothing to do with infertility, but it is all about hope. In today’s society it is really easy to struggle with self-esteem issues. I recently wrote a letter to one of my family members and wanted to pass some of the information I am sending to her onto to anyone else who may need it. Honestly, I think every once in awhile everyone could use a reminder of how amazing they truly are. I hope you enjoy this blog.

            When I was younger I constantly struggled with thinking that I might not be good enough for anything. I thought I was ugly and that no one liked me. At about 12yrs old I was on the puppet team at our church and I can remember going home from every practice crying. One night in particular I remember walking in and all of the girls looked at me and walked to another room so that they wouldn’t have to talk to me. People can be mean, especially when they are young and don’t know any better. They also weren’t aware that I felt like a loser all of the time. I felt like the ugly duckling.  Then when I was about 19yrs old I dated a boy that only increased my feelings of insecurity. He told me that comparing myself to one of my friends was like comparing him to Denzel Washington. Having a boyfriend tell me that she was so much prettier than me only increased these negative feelings. No matter what I did, I never felt like I was good enough.

            I could tell you countless stories like the two I just typed, but that is not the purpose of this blog. I am doing great and I understand that my self-worth is found in Jesus. Time and time again I focused on this scripture

Romans 8:38-39

³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This is my favorite verse of scripture because it tells me that I am good enough. It tells me that nothing can separate me from God’s love.

There are four areas that I would like to cover.

11)      Knowing who you are in Christ

22)      …because you are the child of the King

33)      Real Beauty

44)      Don’t compare yourself to others.

Knowing who you are in Christ

            The Bible is very clear about who you are and how God sees you. God sees you as wonderful. You are His creation, His handiwork. He has a plan for you.

Jeremiah 29:11

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

            Notice this scripture says that God has good plans for you. Again, He thinks you are wonderful. You are who He created you to be. He created you with specific talents! You are wonderful!

Psalm 139:14

¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.

You are WONDERFULLY made!

You are MARVELOUS!

God made you to be exactly who He needs you to be!

…because you are the child of the King

John 1:12

¹² Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—

            You are the child of the King.  When you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, He adopted you in as His child. You have the most amazing Father that there has ever been.

Galatians 3:26

²⁶ So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith

Every morning when you wake up you need to look in the mirror and say “I am a child of the King!” You aren’t the child of just any King. You are the child of the King of all kings.

Revelation 17:14

¹⁴ They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”

            Not only are you the child of the King of kings, but He cares for you. Like I said earlier nothing can separate you from His love, and He has good plans for you.

1 John 3:1

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

Real Beauty

1 Peter 3:3-4      

³ Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. ⁴ Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

            You should be striving for inner beauty. That is the beauty that will change lives. You being nice and walking in love toward someone could change their life. It could save them and be the hope that they need. Your physical appearance will never help anyone or change anyone’s life. Your gentle and quiet spirit is the beauty you should be growing. Focus more time on growing these qualities in your life, rather than the outer quality that doesn’t benefit anyone.

Galatians 5:22-23

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Don’t compare yourself to others

            I can’t stress this point enough. Do not compare yourself to others! God did not create you to be them. God created you to be you! If you continuously compare yourself to someone else you will never be happy with who you are. You are who you were created to be. God created you for a specific purpose.

John 15:16

¹⁶ You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.

            Do not ever let anyone convince you that you aren’t good enough. God chose you!