Self Esteem

Self Esteem

How one looks at one's self is an important part of life. It actually can propel you into greatness or cause you to shrink from your full potential. However for most of us in part due to the term “self esteem” we like in many things begin this on a wrong foot or an incorrect start.

The term self esteem leads us see it only as a value one places on one's self. Yet being told that we need to have better self esteem does not get us there. Nor does that instruct us as to why we should go there. It seems it is easier to value yourself based upon value others see in us. Yet what if they have an inflated or deflated perspective of our worth? Getting a healthy self image is needed in all parties to bring balance to a relationship.

So understanding the need for a good self image is the easy part. Learning how to view yourself is a little harder. There are so many messages out there on this however lets look into the scriptures to get some balance here.

1.Do not over value yourself.

Romans 12:3 (Amplified Bible) For by the grace (unmerited favor of God) given to me I warn everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him. This is straight forward a warning to be careful not to overvalue ourselves. This can lead to many different problems like treating people as if they are worth less than you. As well a sense of pride that will cause you to think you can do more than you actually can leading to a failure. As we can see in Proverbs 16:18 (Amplified Bible) Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

2 place a higher value in those around you.

God's love is constantly flowing much like liquid it is never still there is a constant exchange of energy back and forth. We are told to in Philippians 2:3-4 (New King James Version) Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. I apply this to you and in return it gets applied back to me. As I write these thoughts I am reminded how Paul truly saw others this way. And look at you the reader as more important than me as I the writer and your calling to be greater than mine. Now some people reading this are tripping how can this be the emphasis here is in the “considered as” not in actuality no parent sees one child greater than the other but wants all of his children to treat each other “as if” they were. If we would love each other enough to do this can you imagine the harmony we would experience.

3.Let gods view of you take priority.

No matter the circumstances begin to see yourself in His eyes. Remember When no one saw your value He did. So much he describes Having you being worth all of His treasure. Luke 15 3-7 (New International Version) Then Jesus told them this parable: "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. He loved us so much that he left all he had to find us! John 3:16 says he loved us so much in essence you were worth as much to him as Jesus His son. That's why He gave Jesus to get you and me!

Now this is a healthy start to having a proper view of ones self and being able to esteem your self correctly amongst others. The bible never gives us suggestions to try it gives us commands to do. When we choose to not let our viewpoint be the same as God's whether we see it higher or lower in our own eyes. It is an indirect way of saying God is wrong and I am right and therefore I must be Higher than God. Most of us would never declare a thing as this but many of us do it in silence when we disagree with His view of our lives. If today you can't see yourself as he does ask Him to show you what he sees in you. And then get ready to be amazed because I read that you are wonderfully made or to paraphrase it.

I can see you were made to be full of the wonders of God!