Deep down, one of our greatest needs is to know our self-worth. We need to know that we’re valued, we’re important, and that our lives matter. We have a deep desire to understand our meaning and purpose, and want to live our lives knowing we have something great to offer the world around us. The need for value and self-worth is so great that uncertainty can cause stress, anxiety and depression.

We can often try to find self-worth in things that don’t last- physical appearance, career, achievements and possessions. The pursuit of accomplishments, driving a fancy car, climbing the "corporate ladder" or owning the latest tech can make someone "feel" important. Maybe we think that working toward some personal goal will provide a sense of self-worth and add value to our lives? Unfortunately, all these things will change: we age, jobs come and go, and valuables eventually break down. Basing self-worth on temporary things that can change leaves room for self-worth to change, causing us to be worn-out, burned-out, frustrated, and miserable.

February can be an especially difficult month for those who try to find their value within their love life, whether that be single or married. The “month of love” can cause us to fall into a comparison trap with other couples around us, and gauge our self-worth by what they say about us. Maybe you are feeling rejected or feel like a “trophy wife”. We may even look to other people to give us the validation we need: parents, teachers and friends. Finding our value and self-worth in what others say about us or how they make us feel leaves room for disappoint and hurt.

“To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27 New International Version).

It is both frustrating and pointless to seek our value and self-worth from things and people, we are searching within the wrong places. Colossians tells us that the kingdom of God is within us. Our joy, value, identity and self-worth can be found in Christ alone.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 New King James Version).

It’s easy to live out of our own minds, will and emotions. Each one of us is imperfect and damaged. 2 Corinthians tells us that we are all made new. Jesus paid the price for our salvation and total deliverance, have we not grasped that we are a “new creation”?

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” (Romans 8:35 NIV)

Our self-worth and value should come from the fact that we are children of the Most High God. We should know that we are important because God says we are important. The value God places on us is permanent, regardless of what we or anyone else says or does. His word says that nothing can separate you from His love.

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:13-14 NIV)

God’s Word is full of truth and reminders of His unconditional love for us. Focusing on what others say and do prevents us from saturating our mind with His truth. God says we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14).

“Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord. That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:5-8 NKJV)

We need to build our value and self-worth on what God says about us. Focusing on God’s truths allow us to be like trees planted beside a stream with roots deep in the water. These trees are not bothered by wind, heat or drought. Just like these trees, we can continue to flourish regardless of what comes our way.

One of our most basic needs is to feel significant. To know we are loved, have value and matter. The Bible speaks of two kinds of people: those who trust in mankind and those who trust in the LORD to meet their needs (Jeremiah 17:5-8). I want to encourage you to check your heart today and find your worth in the love of Christ. It takes bravery to break away from the familiar and comfortable. Find rest and peace in Him today knowing that your value is forever established in heaven. That’s where true value and self-worth comes from.

Scripture References:

Value & Self-Worth