True Value

Can I ask you a question? What brings you a sense of self-worth?

In the past, I based my self-worth on people’s approval of my performance. All I wanted was to receive “Good Job!” badges.

Every one of us longs to feel worthy, significant, and approved. It’s a basic personal need which drives us to do everything to strive harder to be successful, to be recognized, and to be appreciated by others. But there may be times we fail to live up to the expectations of others. If we base our self-worth on the constantly changing measuring stick of the world, we will be disappointed. Soon we will feel inadequate for not being able to meet the standards required of us. We will fail to recognize the true source of our worth.

So, what should our self-worth be based upon? Only a creator knows the value of his creation. In the same way, only our Creator knows our worth. He values us so much that he sacrificed his own son, Jesus, on the cross to free us from the wages of sin and give us a life of worth, fulfillment, and purpose. His resurrection promises meaning, hope, and a new life for us.

It doesn’t matter what our job title is, how much money we earn, how successful we are, or what people say about us. God alone knows our worth because he knows how much it has cost. It’s his love which makes us worthy!

Let this truth always be a secure foundation for our self-worth.

Dear Father, thank you so much for finding me worthy of your love. Help me to remain rooted in my identity in you. Help me not to look to others to define my worth or to depend on my achievements or good deeds. Rather, let my true worth be always founded on your unconditional love for me. Amen.

Go Deeper — Write down the people you look to for adoration, admiration and applause. Why does their opinion mean so much to you? Have an honest conversation with God about this.

Read Further — We all deal with low self-esteem at times. This article may help you improve your self-image.