The Balance of Self Image

As adolescents, we are often told not to think too highly of ourselves.  Don’t be the type of person who is arrogant, prideful, and has a haughty spirit.  This is good advice and is a lesson that should be continually taught.  “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.  Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud” (Prov. 16:18-19).

But what about the ones who struggle with self-worth?  There is an overwhelming number of adolescents and adults who struggle with low self-esteem.  Many people lack self-confidence.  When considering themselves, they lack self-value and feel inadequate.  They may feel this way for a number of reasons.  It could be that they have faced mental or physical abuse in their lives.  They could be dealing with tragic circumstances from their past that hinder them from moving forward.  Low self-esteem can develop from a negative outlook on one's own physical features, such as being overweight or underweight, or simply because they lack a physical attribute that they strongly desire.  Others are plagued by low self-esteem because of sin in their lives.  Sin causes a person to plunge into deep despair.  After committing adultery with Bathsheba, David struggled for a period of time with depression and anxiety over the wrong that he had done.  Whatever situation or characteristic leads a person to develop low self-esteem should be taken seriously.  Just as God doesn’t want us to be arrogant and high-minded people, He also doesn’t want us to feel as if we are worthless people.

Let us remember that we were created in the image of God (Gen. 1:26-27). This means we have a spirit just as God is a spiritual being.  God has created us with mental and moral attributes that equip us with the ability to be self-conscious.  God has provided us with His written word, which shows us how to live our lives in a way that is pleasing to our Creator.  God has provided mankind with an escape from sin by sending Jesus Christ as an atonement for all those who are willing to obey the Gospel.  “Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness: by whose stripes we were healed” (1 Peter. 2:24). “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Considering that God gave His Son as a sacrifice and through obedience to the gospel we gain fellowship with God, our self-esteem should flourish!

Let us promote a balance of self-image.  Pride and arrogance are dangerous and lead to destruction, but God valued us enough to send his Son.  The very fact that God loves us this much should improve our self-esteem.

Brad

West End church of Christ • August 2, 2026