Six Ways to Improve Self-Esteem

Written by Judith Willetts, Ph.D. and published on 21-May-2009.

Acknowledge God made us special. The Psalmist says, "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." (Psalm 139:14) God made us, and thus, we are wonderful.

Accept God’s love and salvation through Christ. "...He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." (I John 4:9, 10) This makes us fully acceptable to God.

Revel in God’s love for us. "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God." (I John 3:1) We need to see ourselves as God sees us and as the objects of His affection.

Prepare to be transformed in our thoughts and actions. "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (Romans 12:2) We need to stop looking at society’s standards for measuring up and practice accepting God’s love.

Stop expecting approval of others. Only God’s acceptance can fulfill our need for acceptance. Since we will always disappoint others if we base our self-esteem on other’s opinions, we will always fall short. This leads to feelings of rejection and failure.

Don’t base self-worth on performance. We are worthy because we are "Justified by faith." (Romans 5:1) God has given us unique gifts and talents that we are to use for Him, but these gifts do not make us any more valuable.