What is self-esteem? That would depend on who you ask…..
The world defines self-esteem as the confidence and satisfaction in oneself. Think about that for a minute….satisfaction in oneself….really? I don’t know anyone who is satisfied in oneself. How does one become satisfied in oneself? Is it dependent on how many trophies we have, how many friends we have, how many likes on social media we get, our dress size, the car we drive, test scores? Most people I know are trying to improve themselves in some aspect, so at what point is one satisfied in oneself?
“To err is human.” As the English poet, Alexander Pope, is famously known for saying…
So, what happens when someone cannot reach the satisfaction level in oneself needed to feel good about who they are? I only bring this up because I struggled with this for years, and I know a lot of women do.
Thankfully, I came to know our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and it wasn’t until then that I felt satisfied about anything. I no longer had this need for approval when I realized who loved me, and who I really was! Everything that once mattered no longer mattered. Everything that once was important was no longer important. I’m not talking about my loved ones, but material things…feelings…thoughts…
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. —2 Corinthians 5:17
This was so true for me! I was a new creation, I was filled, where before I was empty. No longer looking for anything and anyone that could fill me up. Nothing can give you what Christ has.
For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. —Colossians 2:9-10
Self-esteem was never an attainable attribute for me until Jesus, but I would call it Christ-esteem, because it is Him and not me.
I no longer wanted the focus to be on me, but instead on Christ. He made the changes within me. His love was more than I’d known. I felt free….free from me.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.–Matthew 6:33
Who are you in Christ? Let me tell you what the Bible teaches us about who we are in Christ…
For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.–Galatians 3:26
For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.–1 Corinthians 15:22
For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.–Romans 8:2
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.–Romans 8:1
And this is just the beginning. Life begins in Christ. The cares of this world melt away when He fills your heart. Don’t waste your time on self-esteem, because you will never live up to the standards of the world.
He Says My Grace is Sufficient so What Does That Mean Exactly?
Beautifully written and I pray that the people that need to read this come across your words. I agree, once I came to know Christ I no longer sought approval or satisfaction from others. It is absolutely freeing.
This post hits it right on. Too often we measure our worth by how our life is going. We measure our marriage, friendships, parenting, and even followers to decide our worth when in reality our worth is in Jesus. It’s so easy to fall into that trap. I pray this reaches many hearts that look to the world around them to decide their worth instead of to the Father.