By Nancy Virden (c)2023

Saw a meme that reads “You are valued, worthy, powerful, appreciated, special, enough.”

I want to know, in whose eyes is this true?

If it depends on people to determine these things then we are perhaps all in trouble. we will be valued by some and not by others. Those who need us will show appreciation inconsistently. People who love us will not always make us feel like we are special. Humans are, well, human and incapable of making another human feel good all the time.

So if it is up to us to value ourselves, how are we to know if our behaviors are worthy or enough? By what standard do we determine our power versus the power of another person? Ask anyone who feels unappreciated and they will tell you that appreciating oneself is not the answer to that disappointment.

Be wary of empty soundbites that carry no meaning. Try not to repeat them. This one, in particular, has me thinking one could feel the opposite of all those things after reading it because one cannot conjure up believing it.

The fact is that there is a standard. And this standard says the following about you and me:

You are valued. Oh, so much! John 3:16,17 says it best, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”(italics mine).

You are inherently worthy because God chooses to love you. All little children are worthy of love not because of anything they are or achieve, but because they exist. This does not mean you or I have earned any privileges. As we grow up, we can choose to live worthy lives or not. God wants you to believe on His Son Jesus for salvation and make Jesus Lord over your life so you can spend eternity with Him. God is the only one actually worthy of praise, still, he wants you. Romans 8:9,14 reads, “And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ… Those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.”

You are powerful in that you have the basic right to say no to attempts by others to misuse or disrespect you. Your greatest power though is found in God Himself. Psalm 72:12 (amp))reads, “For he will rescue the needy when he cries for help, The afflicted and abused also, and him who has no helper.”

You are appreciated by others when you help them, but not so much when you become their doormat. We teach people how to treat us and users will flock to people-pleasers. Following the example of Jesus, say no to wrong and aid the innocent and deserving. John 2:24 reads, “But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people.”

You are special in that you are unique and purposely made. No one is “more special” than anyone else, though. Romans 2:11 reads, “For God does not show favoritism.”

You are already endowed with the basic foundational materials to become everything God means for you to be. In that sense, you are enough. Live for God. Let Him lead you to fulfill the plan he has for your life. Ephesians 2:10 reads, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

-COMMENTS WELCOME

Today’s Helpful Word

Luke 24:45

Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.

If you are feeling suicidal, or concerned about someone who is, in the U.S. call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or for a list of international suicide hotlines, go here.

If you are suicidal with a plan, immediately call 911 in the U.S. or go to your nearest emergency room. In the EU call 112. (For other international emergency numbers, go here ). Hope and help are yours!

Always the Fight Ministries (ATFM) has been displaying compassion for those fighting mental illness, addiction, or abuse since 2012. Nancy is the founder and voice of ATFM and openly shares her emotional resurrection from despair. NOTE: Nancy is not a doctor or a mental health professional, and speaks only from personal experience and observations. In no way is this website intended to substitute for professional mental or behavioral health care.

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