I’ve had an idea for a blog series churning for a while now. And before my most recent surgery, I posted a question on Facebook in hopes other women would chime in. And boy, did they ever!
The question I asked was what is something you wish women talked about more?
We are going to start this series with one I feel very passionate about, self worth.
First, let’s define self worth. Worth signifies the value, merit, or significance of a person or thing. The dictionary defines self worth as the sense of one’s own value or significance as a person. The belief that your life has value.
Insignificant, invisible and insecure. How many of us have felt that way at some point in our lives? Girl, I know I sure have.
I have lived life in a size 12 body and a size 24 body, and every size in between. I have been called fat, a cow and lots of other names I can’t say here. I have been told I have such a pretty face, if I would just lose some weight. Mean words that are said without a second thought, but they stay in my head for years. I have carried oh-so-much shame around with me over those years. And it seemed no amount of self-help books, dieting or trying to sort it out in my head ever worked. I had an unhealthy and unfortunate amount of shame and self-loathing toward my body. I could not imagine why God would give other girls perfect bodies then give me this one. And to be honest, I was a little mad at Him for that.
The hurtful words said to us, abuse, rejection, and pain we’ve endured in our past can often lead to feelings of worthlessness in our present.
Learning to love myself, regardless of my size, was one of the most crucial turning points.
Let me share with you how I made that important shift in my thinking.
In our broken world, we often try to find our worth and purpose in the wrong places. But God, who created you and chose you, wants you to find your worth in Him. Let me share three absolutely beautiful verses with you. These verses show you exactly what God thinks of you, and just how much He values you!
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14
She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed. Proverbs 3:15-18
You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you. Song of Songs 4:7
Know whose opinion to value. It’s not the guy you passed in the grocery store who said hateful words to you, it’s not your childhood friend who always compared your size to hers, it’s not your abuser…Gods opinion is the only one we should value and hear the loudest in our head. You don’t have to be liked or approved of by others to feel valued. God proved how valuable you are to Him by sending His Son to die for you. He wants you to live with Him forever. Girl, you are of infinite value to God! Read that again, infinite value. You don’t have to live your life trying to keep everyone around you happy, just do what pleases God.
You can do all the things. How? Because Christ gives you strength! Philippians 4:13 says I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Because you are loved by God, a daughter of the King, you can survive even if it seems that everyone else hates you. Do you know how many people hated Jesus? Loads and loads. But that didn’t stop Him from living, and He continued to live in a way that pleased God. He never doubted Gods unchanging love for Him, and because of that He could face the horrible abuse. God will give you strength to carry on even when it seems like everyone around you disapproves.
Listen to my words sweet girl, we can all be confident. We can walk through this world with heads and hearts held high as daughters of the King. Daughters who are messy and broken. With Him, we are transformed into beautiful simply because we are His. Understand your identity in Him and the beauty and freedom He gives us and the love He extends to us.
Join me next Friday for another hard topic women wishes we talked about more.
