Ignition 7 Video Spark DevosSample

Day 6: How Do I Deal with Low Self-Esteem or Image Issues? (part 2)

In part one, we discussed the problem of low self-esteem that so many of us face. The world tells us how to look and act to feel “valued.” But this definition of value is wrong. We can’t be fulfilled by it because it sets impossible standards. That’s sort of like feeling badly because you can’t heroically leap tall buildings or lift freight trains. Don’t. You’re not superhuman.

So instead of following culture’s standard for ourselves, we’ve got to define ourselves by the true measurement of our value—God’s love. Knowing that God loves us with an indescribable, boundless love, what does this mean for how we view our own value?

Knowing how much God loves us, we’ve got to start loving ourselves… seeing how valuable we are no matter what other lesser standards of beauty or worth are out there. Think about those moments where you began defining yourself as less than worthwhile. Replace those painful memories with the reality of God’s love. God chooses you, so start choosing yourself too.

This is especially true when we are in relationships with other people. Romantic or non-romantic, we often look to other people’s opinions of us as definitions of our own worth. That’s getting it backwards. God is the source of our worth, and only when we know how truly valuable we are can we start forming healthy relationships with others. Here’s a dirty little secret: other people are probably defining themselves by what you think of them, too. So start spreading the news. God’s love extends to us all, and it is his love that makes all of us whole and beautiful.

So go ahead. Feel good about yourself. Be true to who you are as someone incredibly valuable to God. Then go and show others how valuable they are. No mirror, diet plan, exercise routine, or self-help book can compete with that.