By Nancy Virden (c)2026 AlwaysTheFight.com

To esteem oneself is not the same as glorifying or holding oneself above others. Self-esteem is the opposite of an attitude of superiority or lack of humility. The terms for a person who selfishly demands the right of way regardless of others’ needs are egotistical, grandiose, and immature. One could even say insecure to a degree.

Self-esteem is holding oneself rightly in the eyes of reality. There is no self-pity (I’m not good enough) or perfection (I’m better than everyone), or entitlement (I deserve more than others). If the term self-esteem is used in these contexts, it is being misused.

Self-esteem allows a little girl whose society tells her she is only worth sexualization to see herself as capable, able to reach goals, and to stand up for herself. Self-esteem tells a boy he is more than athletics and sexual prowess. Self-esteem teaches adult men and women to draw healthy boundaries and to practice appropriate self-care.

Pure self-esteem, as intended, allows a person to bring glory to God through their actions and being. He is our Creator, and to dismiss or ridicule his creation is to insult the Almighty.

-COMMENTS WELCOME

Today’s Helpful Word

Isaiah 40:28

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

If you are feeling suicidal or concerned about someone who is, in the U.S., call 988, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. 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. This website is not 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/}