Many young people today struggle with low self-esteem, often stemming from feelings of inadequacy and anxiety. It can be challenging to discern if someone is grappling with low self-esteem solely based on their outward appearance. Only God truly understands the depths of our hearts. Low self-esteem can be triggered by various factors such as parental expectations, cultural influences, negative experiences during childhood, or environmental pressures. However, there is hope and help available through Christ Jesus.
In Judges 6, God had to guide Gideon to see and walk in his God-given identity, rather than his earthly one. SeeJudges 6:11-12,15 ESV … Gideon was beating out wheat in the winepress to hide it from the Midianites. When theangel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” And he said to him, “Please,Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.”God brought Gideon out of low self-esteem and insecurity. And Gideon became a valiant man with mighty deeds.
Some young people today have become so accustomed to the corrupted patterns of this world that they think their low self-esteem is “normal.” A resounding NO! Low self-esteem is never normal!
In Revelation 12:9-10, God’s Word shows us that the devil accuses God’s children non-stop, day and night. Revelation12:9-10 ESV… Satan, the deceiver of the whole world, he was thrown down to the earth… the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. The devil is the one that entraps people in the circle of low self-esteem by throwing negative thoughts at people’s mind.
Therefore, it’s worthy of note that it is not God who condemns you, it is satan that does. That’s why you need to constantly submit yourself to God and resist the devil steadfastly in faith.
James 4:7-8 NLT “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God,and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.”
The devil usually weaves all sorts of lies into people’s mind to bring about anxious and degrading thoughts, and unless you are alert in Spirit, and full of the Spirit, you can be led astray by the wrong thoughts and emotions. Just as Jesus Christ silenced ungodly spirits when during His ministry on earth, you too can do same in His name. Because you belong to Jesus Christ and the devil does not have the right to accuse you, unless you give the devil the grounds to do so.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
In this blog post, I’ll take you through practical steps and Biblical wisdom that I believe will help you become a confident youth with an understanding of your identity in Jesus Christ:
1. Embrace God’s Unconditional Love For You: Regardless of your flaws and insecurities, God sees you as valuable and worthy. By internalizing this truth, you can begin to let go of self-doubt and embrace your worth in Christ Jesus.
2. Recognizing Your own Worth. Start by recognizing your intrinsic value as God’s child. Psalm139:14 reminds us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made by God, our Creator, your Father.
3. Understand and Walk in Your Identity in Christ: Ephesians 2:10 ESV says For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Spend more time feeding your heart on God’s word especially, the New Testament, Apostle Paul’s letters to the churches about our identity in Christ and get yourself established in these truths. Having a good understanding of your identity in Christ Jesus will help you combat feelings of inadequacy and insecurity.
4. Constantly Renew Your Mind with God’s word: You see, negative self-talk and distorted thinking patterns will often contribute to low self-esteem. By immersing yourself in God’s word and meditating it as a lifestyle, your mind gets renewed and negative thoughts are replaced with positive, empowering and enlightening truths of God’s word. Doing this will help you build a firm foundation of self-worth and confidence.
5. Practice Positive Reaffirmation. When the devil throws the thoughts of “I’m not good enough” at you, tell yourself that “I am doing great with God’s help”. When you don’t feel like you’re good enough, it’s easy to want to blend in, hide in the back, or avoid bringing any attention to yourself. But don’t be moved by how you feel, resist every thought or feeling of inadequacy. Be strong and courageous in the Lord! Not in your own abilities or strengths, for God will always be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9.
6. Know and believe your worth in Christ Jesus. See what Psalm 139:13 -14 says “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
7. Have no fear. Believe that God is always with you and by your side. Proverbs 3:25-26 says “The Lord Will Be At Your Side, Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared.”
8. Always hope in the Lord, for He will always carry you through. Let Isaiah 40:31 encourage you, “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
9. Never give up or throw away your confidence in God at any point in time. Hebrews 10:35 – 36 says “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”
10. Don’t be afraid to boldly declare God as your helper. See what Hebrews 13:6 says and say it with confidence too that “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
11. Put your confidence in God alone and never on your own strengths, efforts, abilities or works. Philippians 1:6 says “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
12. Seek Support from Godly Influences:
Stay away from negative influences and surround yourself with positive-minded friends who share ideal and Godly values with you. Friends who can inspire personal and spiritual growth in you. Also, share your thoughts and concerns with these trusted and Godly friends or adults who can provide valuable Godly encouragement and perspective.
13. Stay Consistent in your Personal and Spiritual Growth Journey: Building self-confidence is an ongoing journey. So, stay persistent and be patient with yourself as you mature. Go for knowledge, celebrate your progress, no matter how small, and keep moving forward.
14. Serve God and others diligently:
Our Lord Jesus Christ taught us the importance of selflessness and serving others. By focusing on serving those in need, you can shift your attention away from any feeling of insecurities and instead, you find purpose and fulfillment in serving. Engage in ideal extracurricular activities you like, such as sports, seeing a good movie and the likes.
15. Challenge Negative Thoughts:
Whenever negative thoughts creep in, challenge them with positive affirmations. Replace self-doubt with the confessions of who you are in Christ Jesus and of your assurance in who God created you and believe in the abilities He has given you.
Finally, never let any negative words, comment or negative criticism about you from other people get to you and do not let how anyone treats you make you feel worthless. You’re not worthless! I repeat, You’re not worthless!! You’re precious in the eyes of God, your father, the creator of all things and that’s all that matters! What you think and say about yourself matters as well.
So, learn to always focus on your identity in Christ Jesus, say the right things according to God’s word and let the love of God in you dominate you. Take your eyes of your mistakes or shortcomings, God doesn’t see you failing, He sees you wining, overcoming, bold and successful and so must you!
God created you with a purpose in mind, to do great things for His kingdom and He has has empowered you to do so. His love for you will never change. He started that good work in you before you were even born and has never stopped carrying on that good in you every single day of your life. He watches over His word to bring it to pass in your life. Remember, with the Holy-Spirit as your helper, your guide, your strengthener and your comforter, you can always overcome any challenge that comes your way.
And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. Acts 20:32.
Shalom!
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