Self-esteem is a term that defines who we think we are. High self-esteem means your are confident in who you are and you probably don't allow people to run over you with disrespect. You probably feel secure and don't care about what people think of you as a person. High or good self-esteem probably shouts that you had a good childhood and you have probably not had too many bumps in your road. If you fit into this category, "hats off to you", life is probably pretty good. If, on the other hand, you happen to be on the complete opposite spectrum, you may have low self-esteem which could mean you allow people to run over you because you internally feel like you are not worthy to expect respect from others. Sometimes circumstances in your life cause this low self-esteem. It's a very sad thing that causes this but things can change. Low self-esteem could come from a disturbing childhood, bulleying, living in a bad environment or having a mate or boyfriend who does not treat you with respect. I know many women who take the cheating, verbal abuse, control and physical abuse from a spouse or significant other and people say "Why does she stay with him?" The reason is she doesn't feel that she deserves anything better. She feels she made a committment with this man and there may be children involved and she doesn't want her family broke up so she "hopes" things will get better.
It's a sad state but don't judge this woman. She undoubtedly has low self-esteem and her mate thrives off of that. His own low self-esteem causes him to be abusive to put her lower than him so he has her right where he wants her "feeling like a nothing" he has created a web of destruction for the both of them. The best thing you can do for this woman is support her with love and consideration. Show her that she is important. She probably doesn't know what to do, maybe you could help her find a good christian counselor to talk to. Keep the both of them in your prayers, and most of all, be her friend. She needs someone to lean on and your friendship will be very important to her. Listen to her troubles confidentally that alone can be a wonderful gift to her. Sometimes when you speak it, you see your issues from a different perspective. Let her know that God loves her and he only wants the best for her.
Statement: When we have our identity in Him, we will feel secure. We will no longer have the fear of failure. We will stop trying to always please others at our expense, and we will stop excessively trying to perform so others will accept us!
I want to quote Galatians 5:10 (This is Paul speaking to the Galatians, but it can relate to self-esteem). . .I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is. NKJV
This week I have been studying deeply the books of Galatians, Ephesians, and Phillipians. These books were written by Paul (inspired by God) to the early churches of the Christian Age. I have read each book three to four times and each time I see something new to add to my knowledge of the scriptures. I didn't realize how much confidence I can have in my own christian life that I have the confidence of Jesus' love. It makes me realize that to have relationship with Him on a daily basis I must quit living carnally (in the flesh) but spiritually. I am realizing more and more that the THINGS of this world are not that important but people definitely are and my spiritual walk with God is of utmost importance. His confidence in me is most important! What others think really doesn't matter!
Everyone ever born is seeking the confidence in God, but most people don't realize it. God put in each and every one of us the desire to seek and serve Him. Most people (maybe you) have an emptiness that can't be filled in their life. They seek new jobs, new mates, money, adventures, importance and still don't have the completion in their life that they desire. I can tell you with complete confidence of the scriptures that you are internally seeking Jesus. You can deny it because you were love so much that God gave you free will to choose, but nevertheless, until you accept Him, you WILL NEVER find complete happiness and peace in your life (and I mean in your heart, life struggles will still be there). Jesus wants you to have high self-esteem in Him and He will never disappoint you. I personally look back over my own life and remember the unhappiness I lived when I wasn't right with God. Yes, I still sin and make plenty of mistakes, but Jesus is always there to pick me back up and dust me off and encourage me to press on towards my goal. He reminds me as a christian in 1 John:1,2. . .My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, And He Himself is the propitiation (He became our sin) for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. Does that `give you confidence or high self-esteem in yourself through Him? It does me. He wants us to have confidence in Him and with that confidence He wants us to love Him with all our hearts and to love others even more than ourselves, because our confidence is in Him. God's inspired word is the best therapy session anyone could ask for and it is free for the taking. I wish I could climb the highest mountaintop and shout it around the world how wonderful God is and His Great Love for everyone is. God's mysteries are revealed to us through His word for everyone to read. Who does not love a good mystery?
If you're new at this, start reading Matthew, Mark, Luke and John you can read about the life of Christ. Acts will show you the beginning of the Original Church and will prove by all the conversions in Acts that baptism is essential. Romans through Jude are mostly letters to some of the early churches and they are a pattern for our lives. Also remember when you read in these books and it talks about faith and you think it doesn't say anything about baptism, remember these are already established churches who have already obeyed through baptism. Revelation is our promise, our prize, it is very deep and hard to understand and there are many views on how it is interpreted, but just remember that it is going to be wonderful and all the hard interpretations aren't that big a deal. Let God speak to you through His Word. You do not have to wait for a preacher or interpreter to reveal God's Word. God revealed it through Paul so we could know what we need to do. We have all been called to receive eternal life, it's your choice whether you accept it or not. When you have confidence in Him and know who you are in Him you will be able to start your journey knowing that He always has your back.
Confidence is a choice. Don't allow anyone to steal your confidence. You are loved and will always be loved. God never fails!
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