When a Stranger Makes You Think About Your Worth

This week I was in a bible study that I am not normally apart of. The study has been amazing (all about finding freedom) and all of the people who were invited to partake are all leaders in the church in one way or another.

They had us break up into pairs to discuss how the content was applying directly to our lives. We had an odd number of women, so my pair turned into a group of three.

I did not know either of these women, had only briefly chatted before class started but nothing more. Can I say, it is amazing how the Holy Spirit allows you to relate to others in vulnerable conversations.

We ended our time in prayer together. Lifting up our prayer and allowing our partners to pray over us.

These women praised God for me. They used words I never would have thought of. They told me I shined. That I was a powerful women of God. That I had purpose.

It made me pause. I wouldn’t say I have low self-esteem, but I also don’t think very highly of myself. Why? If I am valuable enough to be created in God’s image - why don’t I think highly of myself?

Perhaps because I’m told to be humble. This is true, but humility isn’t what I think it is. Rick Warren says it best, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.”

Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.

But I don’t do this. I do think less of myself. I think I don’t deserve to be in spaces, don’t deserve to have certain relationships, don’t deserve to receive certain compliments.

Lies. These are all lies. True, I don’t deserve anything. However, I’ve been given so much and God does not see me as the weird foster kid who he is required to feed. No, I am his child. His daughter. An heir to his kingdom.

Regardless of your faith, you have value. You were made on purpose. This world is no accident. You are here for a reason. And it is okay to step into your purpose and SHINE.

I want to shyly step where God calls me. To not bother anyone. To be in the background. Let us not do this.

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew‬ ‭5:14-16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We shine. We are light. I challenge you to not dim your own light. To not feel like you’re too much or not valued at all.

“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Luke‬ ‭12:6-7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Let me know in the comments if you’ve also struggled with thinking less of yourself. We need to encourage one another to see ourselves in our true worth - that we are known and loved by the creator of the world.

I’m praying you are shining your light where you are today. And that you are not ashamed of that light! You are beautiful and already shine.