NO SELF-WORTH

Job 3:23 (The Life Recovery Bible) "Why is life given to those with no future, those God has surrounded with difficulties?"

It is a nagging horror — having no self-esteem. We all feel like `a nobody' at times. Deep-seated feelings of inferiority cannot easily be dispensed with. Dreams do not drive away such depression of spirits from loss of courage or hope. Possibility thinking fails to rid us of the `blues'. Doubt about ever overcoming our innermost downward slope only worsens the feelings, memories, and impulses that have usually affected our character psychologically and given rise to abnormal, compulsive behaviour..

Modem remedies offered to heal nagging self-images usually omit a crucial fact: we do not create a sense of self-worth simply by our own thoughts and actions. Self-assertion is not enough. Psychologists tell us that unfulfilled desires for self-esteem lead to bitterness and agonising frustration.

MEDITATION

When God has wanted something done, almost always He has taken hold of someone who felt inferior. The first step toward achieving better feelings about ourselves is to recognise our unworthiness in the sight of God. We become somebody, precisely at the moment we start realising God alone can make us somebody and wants to do so. We are valuable because Christ died for us. We are valuable because God made us in His own image. He sees us for what we are meant to be and can become. He is in the work of reclaiming those who have weakly surrendered unconditionally to error. Never forget that the Bible records that great heroes only became such with divine assistance. ` Their weakness was turned to strength.' (Hebrews 11:34) Jesus Christ can make something of our lives. He will accept us, allow us to belong, refine our feelings, all vital factors in rising above our `nobody', image of ourselves and our situations.

We do not need to resort to shameful tactics to gain attention. We do not need to remain isolated, feeling ignored. Burying ourselves in work, to prove capabilities, will not work this problem out. Try Jesus, the ONE TRUE HIGHER POWER as the WAY out, and up.

PRAYER

Lord, I'm sick of feeling ignored, unwanted, lonely, and inferior. Lift my sights to see You as my Saviour.