Self-Esteem vs Christ-Esteem
Self-Esteem vs Christ-Esteem
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” – Psalm 139 13-14
How do you feel about yourself?
If you are feeling a bit down or rejected, if you feel worthless or useless, there is no shortage of books and videos out there to help you build up your self-esteem. Whether it’s positive thinking, words of affirmation, or surrounding yourself with people who build you up, self-esteem building has become a huge industry.
“I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and dog-gonnit people like me.”
The problem is all these self-esteem builders aren’t based on reality.
Just because you say you are good at something and convince yourself you are, doesn’t mean you really are. Just watch the tryouts of American Idol and you can see what I mean. Another problem is it’s all about your willpower to psych yourself up, but what if you just have a really bad day and don’t have the energy?
When God speaks, it is truth.
It is reality. When God says you are fearfully and wonderfully made, you are just that. He created you. He gave you life and He did a wonderful job!
This all sounds pretty nice. Maybe it makes you feel warm and fuzzy right now, but the times come when we see our failures and we see our sin and don’t feel so wonderfully made, or maybe we feel like we broke what God had made wonderfully.
In those moments, remember the promise of Jesus Christ. Through faith in Him, you are forgiven. God has declared you righteous and holy…
And so you ARE righteous and holy.
He has made you a new creation. This isn’t trying to avoid the truth, it’s sticking to the truth…the truth of God’s promises…even when we don’t feel it.
Rather than seeking our esteem in ourselves, let us seek it in Christ.
Let us also esteem others in Christ. I love and value you not because you think you’re worth it or because I think you are the cat’s meow, but because the Father has fearfully and wonderfully made you and Jesus has redeemed you.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for creating me and redeeming me. Sometimes I don’t feel like I’m worth it. I feel worthless and useless. In those times, remind me of Your promises…promises that You love me, You forgive me, and You have given me a purpose and place here to serve and glorify You.
Amen.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
