Broken and Beloved

Do you sometimes feel insignificant? Perhaps someone made a remark that hurt you deeply. Criticisms regarding your intelligence, background, appearance, or beliefs can be distressing. Or you might live in a household where praise is sparce, and it seems like nothing you do is good enough. We all have different circumstances, yet low self-esteem can attack any of us unexpectedly, leaving us feeling fragile. Physical symptoms of low self-esteem include headaches, tiredness, slumped shoulders, and frowning. Emotional signs can be tears, anger, negative comments, or detachment from things we usually enjoy. When people reject us, it can shake our confidence. But it’s important to remember that, when someone criticizes us, what they say may not be true. People make snap judgements based on human opinions, and these comments can hurt. So what can we do? We can run to God, our Creator who loves us. He knows the truth about us. He says we are precious and uniquely made (Psalm 139:13-14). He has a purpose for our lives. God loves us so much that, even though we all do wrong and mess up, He made the way for us to be saved (John 3:16-17). He gave us His precious Son so that we might live. Jesuswho is fully God and fully humanwillingly sacrificed His life for ours, and God raised Him from the dead. If God, who is divine and infinitely loving, has done something so amazing for us, then that indicates how cherished and valued we are. So even when feelings of insecurity attack us, as Christians we do not have to be downcast, but instead we can remind ourselves that God forgives us. He loves us. He guides us. And He invites us to live a joyful life with Him. He heals our deep wounds and strengthens us through the Holy Spiritwho lives inside Christians. Yes, we will all be broken and imperfect until Jesus returns to make us new, but God declares we are wonderful to Him. What a celebration that is! Cindy Lee When do you find it difficult to believe that you are valuable or worthwhile? Who is a trusted Christian in your life who can remind you of what God says about you and pray for you when you’re having a hard time? How might God be giving you opportunities to be this kind of friend to others? I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. My soul knows that very well. Psalm 139:14 (WEB)

Read Verses:

Psalm 139:13-Psalm 139:18; Ephesians 3:14-Ephesians 3:21