How Do You Measure Your Value?
Whether you’re aware of it or not, you have a way of measuring your self-worth. You may not do it the same way someone else does, but you use something in your life to determine your own value.
According to one study, your self-worth is likely based on how you rate yourself in at least one of these seven areas:
- Approval from others.
- How you look.
- The things you’re good at.
- Your family’s love and support.
- How you measure up to other people.
- Your character.
- Your view of faith or God’s love.
We did a Twitter poll recently to see where the members of our audience believe they find their value. Here’s what they said:
Do you find your value in any of the things listed above?
<strong>Finding Value in Things That Last</strong>
Think about the things that make you feel good about yourself. What happens to your self-worth if any of these things change?
Positive vibes from social media posts feel great, but they fade quickly as your newsfeed moves on.
Jobs and relationships can be fulfilling, and they definitely last longer than likes on Instagram, but what happens to your value when you lose your job or when people let you down?
I used to find my value in relationships, jobs and even my body image. When any of those things wobbled — if I had an argument with a family member, if I got negative feedback from a coworker or if I failed to maintain self-imposed weight goals — my worth took a hit.
When I was at a low point, my pastor encouraged me to take my insecurities to God. As I prayed and spent time reading the Bible, my mindset about my value changed.
One passage that tells me exactly what God thinks of me says:
“I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love — not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future, and not powers above or powers below. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord!” (Romans 8:38-39, Contemporary English Version).
Not only does God love me no matter what happens, but His love will never change.
Ever since I put my faith in Jesus and found my value in who He says I am, I’ve found strength and confidence that don’t change with the ups and downs of life. As long as I stay focused on my relationship with Him, my self-worth is secure.
