When you look in the mirror, or take a moment of reflection, how do you see “you”?
Do you like or dislike yourself? Are you good or are you bad? Are you a winner or a loser?
I don’t know too many people who actually ask themselves these questions every time they see their reflection or see themselves in the mirror; but should we? Should we take more mini-self evaluations to determine where we are?
Low self-esteem is a problem that I believe many people face. I also believe that having an opinion of yourself of being worthless is a hard nut to crack when trying to recover from a bad situation. To support their worthless image, some people even quote preachers who have taught from Isaiah 64:6 –the verse that contains the phrase “...and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags…” Seemingly, the “filthy rag” is the only thing they remember from that chapter.
Although that is “A Reading” of that passage of scripture, as I read the entire chapter of Isaiah 64; I see another story unfolding. I see a story of someone looking for help after coming to terms with their current position in a hopeless situation. They are asking and affirming, “There must be something more to life than just this”…and they begin to look toward God and within themselves for answers. I also think the story goes much deeper but I don’t have the opportunity to discuss it here. (smile) What I will say is this; my encouragement to all “low self-esteemers” and to anyone else needing encouragement, is Genesis 1:26 which says, “And God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…”
WE are made in the image of GOD. Knowing that we are made in the image of God should be motivation for you to start moving towards being a winner. Replace your thoughts of worthlessness with thoughts of “worthiness”. God put a lot of time and effort into making us…and He said “it was very good”. So be encouraged, and take a closer look. You are made in the image of God.
