Lately I’ve received several letters and talked individually to some folks who have very low self-esteem. Their opinion of themselves is so very low in fact that it’s negatively impacting their life right up to the point of considering suicide.
Ughhh!
I’ve had those same thoughts, (both before and after becoming a follower of Christ) and it’s not a pleasant place to be. Often those of us who think like this are mired in guilt for deeds committed both past and present. This is satanic thinking that comes from and is inspired by the dark forces of the world and not the light.
As I discussed this issue with them, virtually all related to me that they had “accepted Christ as their Savior”, (a term that I cannot find anywhere in the Bible). That opened up an avenue of conversation. First I gently reminded them that according to the Bible God CALLS us to be followers of Christ. John 6:44 – For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me. I suppose it might make more sense for us to say that we have accepted God’s invitation to become a follower of Christ.
Selah . . . Please sit back in your chair for a moment and relax and think about this for a moment . . .Out of all the people in the world God chose YOU!
Yikes! The all-powerful Creator of everything seen and unseen took time from His busy day to not only notice you, but to think about you, and to “draw” you to His Son Jesus Christ!
I’d say if God thinks that much of you, then having low self-esteem seems kind of silly – Wouldn’t you agree?
When we answer God’s call and come to Him, He’s willing to forgive us our sins provided we: confess them, acknowledge and profess our belief that His Son Jesus is Lord, and that He sacrificed his life on the cross and was subsequently resurrected and today sits at the right hand of God in heaven. Those of us who believe and profess that and are willing to follow him and not the world, legitimately become not only His followers, but His sons and daughters, (children) and the Bible assures us that we will live with Him forever in heaven. Gal. 3:26 – For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes
He chose the words, “Born Again” to describe this process and in fact stated that “we cannot see heaven unless we are born again”. He describes it as our becoming new creations: 2 Cor. 5:17 – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! – Col. 3:3 – For you died to this life . . .
Some of us were told since childhood that: we will never amount to anything, that we are stupid, a black sheep, a bad seed, and destined to failure. That is satanic in nature and shame on those who tell others such garbage and shame on you if you think it of yourself. God says in Eph. 2:10 – For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Jer. 29.11 states: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Understand this, God has equipped you with everything that you need to accomplish His purpose for your life. You have the intellect, the looks, the strength, EVERYTHING you need. So don’t doubt yourself and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. You are special to God!
Low self-esteem is merely one more tool of satanic forces. Lucifer is jealous of mankind and wants to discourage us at every turn. He tries to convince each of us that we are bad and unworthy of God’s love. Satan often mixes some truth with his lies and while it is true that we are not worthy of God’s blessings and are born with a sin nature, that is a moot point because God’s grace is sufficient for us and while we are undeserving, it is God’s good pleasure to transform our lives and shower us with His blessings anyway because He loves us.
You who follow Christ are not bad anymore; forget about it; the old is gone and the new is here! The prophet Isaiah addressed this “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert”.
Oh yeah!
Romans 8:1
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.
October 10, 2013 – Click here to listen