The Bankruptcy of Low Self-Esteem
Genesis 1:27 So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
It’s surprising just how many people suffer from low self-esteem. With some, it’s obvious. You can see how uncertain they are, how shy and withdrawn they are. That form of low self-esteem is particularly prevalent, sadly, amongst women.
But there’s another sort of low self-esteem that’s not quite so easy to pick. Often those loud, boisterous people you meet, the ones who seem to be so confident in themselves, are also suffering from low self-esteem. Their over confidence and arrogance belie, a deep sense of inadequacy. It’s a dark secret that they hope no one will discover, so they cover it up by boasting about their accomplishments. That’s a pretty clear indicator that they’re suffering from low self-esteem.
So, this low self-esteem thing is a real plague in modern society. We compare ourselves with the images of success that the world dangles under our noses … and eventually, we come to the conclusion that what we can never match up to what we should be, according to … well I don’t know who.
But … what if it’s not about the “what” so much as it is about the “who”. An old teacher of mine back in my early years had a saying:
When you realise who you are, you can rejoice in what you are.
So who am I? Who are you?
So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27)
And that right there is why you and I and every other human being are worth so much more than a cat or a dog. Because we’re made in the image of God – if it weren’t for that, why would a human life be of any more value than the life of any other animal?
So, let’s just think about that for a minute. You are made in the image of God. And because of that you’re loved and you’re cherished by Him. You’re forgiven. You have a future. That’s who you are.
We all need to feel valued. It’s how we’ve been made. Sadly, the world has a way of draining that sense of value out of us, to the point where some people’s value-accounts are in overdrawn. They’re in the red. And that right there, that’s the place of low self-esteem. It’s not how you were made. It’s not who you are. It’s not how you are meant to live your life, in the bankruptcy of low self-esteem.
You are a son or daughter of the living God, made in His image, and loved by Him beyond measure. That’s who you are.
And that’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.
Blessed by this devotion?
Share it with a friend!
Respond