Helping you find your self-worth when there are so many other things in the world telling you what you are worth.
Day 1: Self-worth
Self-worth is defined as “the sense of one’s own value or worth as a person.” What is your self-worth? From a human’s perspective, this can be a wavering answer, but from God’s perspective you are a holy temple. If we base our value on a person’s approval, or on what media says it is, we won’t have a consistent feeling of worthiness because people’s emotions and opinions are constantly changing. However, there is one who is always consistent and unmovable, and that is God.
“Indeed, the hairs of your head are all counted. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” -Luke 12:7 (CSB)
Pause to think: On a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest sense of self-worth, and 1 being the lowest, where would you rate yourself? Would you want it to be higher? What are your plans for that?
Prayer: God, allow me to see your power. Help me see myself through your eyes. Let me lean on your understanding and not the world’s understanding.
Day 2: Recognizing “of the world”
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” – 1 John 2:15 (KJV)
Recognize the types of things kids and teens are measuring themselves to: social media, number of likes, friends, money, status, type of clothes, popularity, looks, and so on. Do you see anything these have in common? They are worldly expectations and people are comparing themselves and competing with others. I’m not saying that these things are all bad, but it’s the reasons behind it that determine if it’s worldly or not.
For example, are you spending most of your money on clothes and makeup just to prove that you’re the most stylish, or are you making yourself look presentable when meeting people so you can come across as being knowledgeable and trustworthy?
Are you popular because of your character or are you known for making the most irrational decisions? Do you care more about what people think or what God thinks?
Pause to think: How many of your actions are driven by the world and how many are God driven? If it’s more worldly-driven, then maybe you should examine the motives in your life.
Prayer: Lord, help me see what is in your will and not my will, nor the world’s will. Give me wisdom to be able to decipher the good from the evil.
Day 3: Who are you?
A lot of times, as a therapist, I find that a person’s self-worth is hard to determine when he or she is struggling in knowing who they are. When they think about it, they aren’t sure who they are. They have been living with how people expect them to act or what they think people expect of them, which makes it even more confusing as to who they truly believe they are.
A good place to start is who God says you are in His family.
“See what great love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children – and we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it didn’t know him.” – 1 John 3:1 (CSB)
Pause to think: Who does God say you are and for what purpose? What are your strengths about yourself that you really like? What are some things that you would like to improve about yourself?
Prayer: Lord, help us see who we are in the way that you made us. Help us to see our purpose in life, and how we can share our gifts for the good of this world.
Day 4: Self doubt
Doubt is the opposite of faith. It keeps you from achieving your purposes in life, and it keeps you from God’s guidance. If you don’t believe in yourself, then who will? Start putting into action who you want to believe you are.
Your words and actions can reflect who you are or who you are trying to be. Therefore, if you want to be a more positive person, then speak positive things. Words are very powerful and can start reflecting the heart. Also, do something positive, and try to make it a habit.
Pause to think: How can you keep positivity and gratitude in your life? Can you write it down in a journal on a daily basis, or put something you’re grateful for in a “positive jar”?
Prayer: Lord, help us find strength in You. Help us to leave our doubts and worries behind us. Let us bring ourselves openly to you, so that you may guide us towards your purpose.
Day 5: Taking care of the self, physically
A part of gaining self-worth is taking care of yourself physically. How about starting with making sure you are eating the right way? Maybe you’re not eating enough healthy foods, or maybe you’re eating too much junk food. What about sleep? Are you going to bed a decent time and waking up with enough energy to be productive? Starting with just the basics can make a big difference.
“Don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought at a price. So glorify God with your body.” – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (CSB).
Pause to think: What can you do to help your physical health?
Prayer: Lord, guide me to take care of my body as a temple. This body is a gift from you and I need to honor this gift.
Day 6: Taking care of the self, mentally
The mind has a lot going on inside, doesn’t it? It can be so strong, yet so weak at times. The mind can be a very dark place because of insecurities, guilt, shame, or whatever the reason may be. It’s healthy to be able to share your thoughts and to make sense of them out loud with someone you trust or with a professional therapist. Therefore, you can decipher what are rational and irrational thoughts, and what you are able to control out of the situation.
“So I take pleasure in the weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” – 2 Corinthians 12:10 (CSB)
Pause to think: What’s going on in your mind? What could be bothering you that is affecting your daily life? This may be a very direct answer, or this can be a very long answer that may take time to find out.
Prayer: Lord, allow me to own up to my weaknesses, so that you may work in my life. Put strength and perseverance in me, so that I will not give up, no matter how hard it gets.
Day 7: Taking care of the self, spiritually
As believers, this is a must! I’ve seen it in my own life, and as a therapist in a lot of individuals and couples. The strength of God working in a person’s life is the best power against the enemy. We are already broken people, so we cannot completely rely on ourselves or others. I’ll take any help I can get, so why not lean on God? The spirit can be stronger than the flesh, but it’s a journey getting there.
“But the person without the Spirit does not receive what comes from God’s Spirit, because it is foolishness to him; he is not able to understand it since it is evaluated spiritually.” – 1 Corinthians 2:14 (CSB)
Pause to think: How am I getting closer to God? Am I taking the actions to build an intimate relationship with Him?
Prayer: Lord, guide me towards you. Be my flashlight in the dark, so that I may find you and dwell in your presence. Let me feel comfort in you.