Hello there, young friends! How’s it going? Life can be tough, especially when we’re trying to figure out who we are and what we’re worth. It can be challenging to feel adequate in a society that constantly subjects us to subjective benchmarks for success. But don’t worry, my friends! The Bible has a lot to say about identity and self-worth, and we’re here to break it down for you in an entertaining and instructive manner. So hold on tight, because we’re about to get biblical!
First and foremost, let’s discuss identity. Who exactly are you? For millennia, philosophers and youth have wrestled with this subject. And although we can’t offer you a conclusive answer, we can tell you what the Bible has to say about it.
God made humans “male and female” (Genesis 1:27), “in his own image” (verse 28), and “in the image of God” (verse 29). Therefore, we know right away that our identity is established in God. We are created in his image, which means we mirror his personality and characteristics. Isn’t that cool?
Jesus reminds us in Matthew 10:29–31 that God cares for and protects even the smallest creatures. Even the hairs on your head are individually numbered. This tells us that humans are more precious than sparrows since we were made in God’s image and for a specific purpose.
God created us not only in his image but also with great care and precision. As Psalm 139:13–14 states, we are wonderfully made, and we should praise God for his amazing craftsmanship. Thus, we are not only created in God’s image but also formed by his own hands. We’re God’s creations!
We know what some of you are thinking: “But wait for a second, why do we sometimes feel insufficient, although we are fashioned in God’s image and are so unique?” Here’s where self-worth comes into play, my dear friends.
Self-worth is determined by how much we believe in the value God has placed on us. And let us tell you, it’s all too easy to slip into the trap of believing we’re worthless in our own perceptions. Maybe you doubt your own abilities and wonder whether you’ll ever be good enough for anyone’s attention. Perhaps someone has told you that you’re not good enough. Whatever the cause, feelings of worthlessness taunt many young people.
But here’s the thing: Our value isn’t determined by what we accomplish, how we look, or what others think of us. Our value stems from who we are in God. “We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do,” Ephesians 2:10 says. Did you spot that? We are God’s handiwork. We are his creation, his masterpiece. And he created us for a reason: to carry out the good works that he has planned for us. That’s pretty great.
Therefore, remember that your value isn’t based on your abilities or appearance the next time you feel inferior. Your worth is determined by God’s vision for your life and who he created you to be. You are valued just because you exist, and God loves you.
Let’s spend some time discussing love while we’re at it. Specifically, we want to address the question that some of you are probably thinking, “All right, now I understand it.” God created me, and he believes I’m unique. But what about the rest of us? “Can they ever accept me as I am?”
Well, here’s the deal: When we think about how God accepts us just the way we are, flaws and all, we can’t help but wonder if we can do the same for other people. According to the Bible, the answer is a resounding yes. In fact, we are commanded to love others in the same way that God loves us.
In John 13:34–35, Jesus gives a new commandment: love one another. He continues by saying that we should love one another as much as he has loved us. This type of love is not limited to those who are similar to us or with whom we are already at ease. It is, rather, an all-encompassing love that accepts people for who they are, flaws and all.
This type of love is not always easy, but it is what we are called to do as God’s followers. When we choose to love others in this way, we show the world that we are Christ’s disciples. We demonstrate that we understand and appreciate God’s unconditional love for us by extending that same love to those around us.
When we love people in this manner, we begin to see them as God sees them. We start to see them as important and worthy of love, just like we do. Because seeing ourselves and others in this light is a game-changer.
So there you have it, my young friends. When it comes to concerns about identity and self-worth, the Bible has a lot to say. We are formed in God’s image, fearfully and wonderfully designed, with a purpose. Our value is not based on what we accomplish or how we appear, but rather on who we are in Christ. And we are supposed to love others as much as God loves us. We hope this was helpful and instructive. Remember that you are loved and respected.