The Endless Battle to Find Our Worth

Working to live up to other peoples expectations or our own devalues who we are. In living to please ourselves or other people, we lose sight of the goodness that’s found in living to please God and the freedom of living as our authentic, God-designed-self.

We can subconsciously allow people to dictate our attitude towards ourself. If they respond with an eye-roll, it could result in us shying away or shrinking back from the conversation or relationship. It could be in the way you slaved over making them dinner only to find no appreciation or thing in return. Who’s fame and honor are we working towards when we try so hard to live up to other peoples expectations? There’s. Results: a whole lot of feeling sorry for ourselves, poor self-esteem, depression, anxiety, anger, and resentement.

Living up to our own expectations of ourselves often looks like trying to conform to the perfect image of who we are. Enough is never enough. The metaphorical plate always needs to be crammed full and the candle burnt at both ends. We hustle, we push to the top, and hope that soon we will have peace with the gal we’ve made of ourself. Who’s fame and honor are we working towards when we try so hard to live up to our own demands? Our own. Results: stress, hurry, anxiety, depression, impatience, missed opportunities of good friendships and being out of touch with reality and our authentic self.

We all give honor and glory to God by being exactly who we are. Just as a mountain gives Him glory by simply being a mountain. When we find ourselves in hopes to please God, we experience wholeness, joy, peace with who we are, and authentic love for Him, others and ourselves. When we know and experience God and His character, we discover our authentic self. The one who doesn’t shy away from an eye-roll or a curse word, but stands firm in who she is as loved always, belonging to the King of Kings, equipped with every single thing she needs to carry out the life she lives and do so with great joy and ongoing peace. Who’s fame and honor are we working towards and resting in when we seek Him first above all and with are whole heart? When we serve others because God loves them? When we take care of ourselves and live out our God-given gifts and vocation? HIS!! Results: Freedom, peace with ourselves and others, confidence, security, joy, patience, faithfulness, gentleness, goodness, self-control, kindness towards ourselves and others, and greater self awareness as we experience God in new ways and get to know ourselves through His transformative power.

Rest in His love and take inventory of the reasons you do what you do. Become aware of your thoughts to see what bend you tend to take (pleasing others or yourself), and surrender it. See what God will do in you when you practice thinking, feeling and choosing from a place of already being loved and valued by Him.

“Don’t be afraid or intimidated by others, for God will bring everything out into the open and every secret will be told.” Matthew 10:26

So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:6

“Fear and intimidation is a trap that holds you back.
But when you place your confidence in the Lord,
you will be seated in the high place.” Proverbs 29:25