By Nancy Virden (c)2023

Subjective opinions are not as helpful as those based on solid foundations. When my sons were teenagers they questioned my positive point of view concerning their value. In their struggles with adolescent insecurities, they expressed, “You’re Mom. You have to say that.”

Their troubled belief that I could be wrong, that my opinion was subjective, undermined my encouragement even though their high value was a fact. They listened more closely to specific reports of what I saw was valuable in them. Years later, they still own the written lists I gave them concerning the good I saw in them. “I see this in you” is based on solid observations and therefore, more helpful to the listener.

Imagine now that you are trying to encourage anyone who is in serious emotional pain, wrestling against a sense of worthlessness. Instead of saying, “You are deserving/good enough,” try, “I believe you are deserving/good enough because…”

To back that with the power of absolute truth we can remind people what God says about human worth in Christ.

You are Beloved, Cherished, and Precious to God!! “But God loves us deeply. He is full of mercy. So he gave us new life because of what Jesus Christ has done. He gave us life even when we were dead in sin. God’s grace has saved you.” (Ephesians 2:4-5).

You are a Masterpiece by the Greatest of All Time! “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10).

You are Chosen! “God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure” (Ephesians 1:5).

You are Forgiven! “He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.” (Ephesians 1:7).

You are a New Creation! “…if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

You are a Child of the King! “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1).

You are an Heir of God! “And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised…” (Ephesians 1:13-14).

-COMMENTS WELCOME

Today’s Helpful Word

Isaiah 64:8

Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay. You are the potter. Your hands made all of us.

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.

_{HOLY BIBLE, NEW LIVING TRANSLATION, COPYRIGHT © 1996, 2004, 2015 BY TYNDALE HOUSE FOUNDATION. USED BY PERMISSION OF TYNDALE HOUSE PUBLISHERS, INC., CAROL STREAM, ILLINOIS 60188, PER BIBLE GATEWAY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. RETRIEVED FROM HTTPS://WWW.BIBLEGATEWAY.COM/}