The New Math of Self-Worth

Do you have an outfit in your closet that always reaps compliments?

Many clothes in my closet are a deep peach color. I love this color because whenever I wear it, I receive comments like, “That color looks fabulous on you.” or “You should wear that color all the time!” So of course when I’m not sure what to wear, I am likely to choose an outfit in the shade of deep-peach.

After all, who doesn’t like a compliment?

Mark Twain said, “I can live for two months on a good compliment.” I agree. Positive words fuel my spirit. They give me strength to keep going.

But too often I rely on what other people say about me or think about me for my self-worth.

The Old Math

In fact, this is the math equation I often used to evaluate whether my life mattered or not:
MY ACCOMPLISHMENTS + WHAT OTHERS THINK OF ME = MY SELF WORTH

If I’m honest, not only do I sometimes choose an article of clothing because I consciously or unconsciously know I am likely to receive compliments on it, I may also choose activities and tasks that will make others notice me.

But what happens when others don’t notice us? When our hard work is behind the scenes and no one says, “Great job!” When people don’t offer compliments or praise. Does that mean we are not valuable?

No! Even when we may feel unimportant, insignificant, even worthless, we can hang on to the truth in God’s Word, We need to find some new math.

The New Math

Let’s look in God’s Word for a new equation. First, the apostle Paul reminds me that accomplishments are not the way to earn God’s love:

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

My accomplishments or lack thereof do not affect God’s grace to me. I cannot earn God’s love through hard work. I do not get spiritual brownie points for success in this world. God loves me no matter what. I am saved through faith and not through accomplishment. We can serve God out of love for Him, but we do not have to do it out of fear of not measuring up.

Second, God tells me I am valuable:

Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life.” (Isaiah 43:4)

I am precious to God–valuable in His sight, treasured in His kingdom, and cherished in His heart. I am an honored and privileged part of His kingdom. He loved me so much that He gave His own Son in exchange for my life!

I am not valuable because of what I do for God. He treasures me because He made me and adopted me into His family through Jesus’ work on the cross and triumph over death

So when our self-esteem is a little low, when compliments have been few and far between, let’s do some new math:

GOD’S LOVE FOR ME + JESUS’ SACRIFICE FOR ME = MY SELF WORTH

Next step: Post the new self-worth equation where you will see it often. Remind yourself that accomplishments and compliments are not the key to a life that matters. You already matter to God!