Overcoming Low Self-Esteem
"With low self-esteem, you walk into a room...and wonder what everyone is thinking about you."
-Averie
Throughout her childhood, many painful experiences caused Averie to feel insecure and suffer from low self-esteem. In elementary school, a friend used a party invitation to lure Averie out into a swamp. Once there, the little girl attempted to push Averie through the ice. She was also tormented by cruel nicknames throughout her school years. The rejection she felt caused her to withdraw from people as each school year passed.
Averie was determined to go as far away as possible to college and was relieved when no one from her school followed. During her college years, she met and married her husband who boosted her feelings of self-worth. In spite of this, Averie was still very shy.
However, the memories of these painful experiences followed her, and her low self-esteem evolved and caused Averie to suffer pain in her relationships with others.
Averie’s thinking changed after becoming a Christian, while discovering what the Bible has to say about the importance of our thought life.
Low self-esteem caused Averie to experience:
Wrong Thinking
She thought others were as focused on her as she was. People with low self-esteem are self-focused, not out of conceit and arrogance, but worry about other’s opinions.
Foolish Thinking
She speculated that people were thinking poorly of her. People with low self-esteem assume the worst.
Share Your Story:
Like Averie, many people are struggling with low self-esteem. We encourage you to draw closer to God and discover His plan for your life. God doesn’t demand that you get all cleaned up before you come to Him. If you choose to draw near to Him (warts and all), He will meet you, love you, and help you see how important and valued you are to Him. Please consider sharing your story with us by clicking on the following link: Share Your Story. There is someone who needs to hear it!
Words to Live By:
“But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations” 2 Timothy 2:23 (NASB).
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things” Philippians 4:6-8 (NASB).
“We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NASB).
Dr. Ron’s Perspective:
Many people experience low self-esteem. The causes for it are numerous. Typically, low self-esteem develops in response to harmful or unhealthy relationships. The first place it can occur is within one’s own family background. Abuse, lack of nurturing, critical parents or a negative, stressful environment are high-risk factors for developing an unfavorable opinion of ourselves. Sometimes social relationships in school are harmful and cause a child to develop a poor self-image. People with low self-esteem have a diminished sense of worth and lack confidence. One of the best ways to boost your confidence is to focus less on yourself and direct that energy towards helping others. The satisfaction we gain from meeting other’s needs actually help us to feel better about ourselves. Try some acts of kindness and service, and you may begin to grow more positive feelings about yourself over time.
