Self-esteem is how we see and value ourselves, and the Bible has plenty to say on this topic. It teaches us that our worth comes from being made in God’s image. Understanding what the Bible says about self-esteem can help us find a balance between humility and confidence, knowing we are valued by God.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Reconciliation
What Does The Bible Say About Self Esteem
Psalm 139:14
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
This verse reminds us that we are uniquely created by God, and He has made us wonderfully. It is a beautiful affirmation of our intrinsic worth and value, helping us to recognize that we are fearfully and wonderfully made by the Creator Himself.
Knowing this truth about ourselves can help boost our self-esteem and eliminate any feelings of inadequacy or inferiority. We can rejoice in the fact that we are God’s masterpiece and believe in our own worth because of how God sees us.
1 Peter 2:9
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
This verse highlights the incredible identity that we have as believers in Christ. We are chosen by God, called to be a part of His royal priesthood and His holy nation. It reminds us that we have been set apart and are God’s special possession.
Understanding and embracing this truth can have a profound impact on our self-esteem. We can find confidence and security in knowing that we are chosen and loved by God, and that He has called us out of darkness and into His marvelous light.
Psalm 139:17-18
“How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand— when I awake, I am still with you.”
In these verses, we are reminded of how much God thinks about us and how precious His thoughts towards us are. God’s thoughts towards us are countless, more than the grains of sand. He is always with us.
Understanding that we are always in God’s thoughts can boost our self-esteem and assure us of our significance and worth. It reminds us that we are constantly on God’s mind, and He cares deeply for us.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
This verse emphasizes the sanctity and value of our bodies as believers. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and we have received the Spirit from God. Therefore, we are called to honor God with our bodies.
Understanding that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit can help us appreciate and value ourselves more. It reminds us that our bodies are not just physical shells but dwelling places of God’s presence, deserving respect and care.
Ephesians 2:10
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
This verse affirms that we are God’s handiwork, His masterpiece, created with a purpose. We are created in Christ Jesus to do good works that God has prepared in advance for us to do.
Knowing that we are God’s handiwork and have a purpose in Him can provide a strong foundation for our self-esteem. We can find confidence and fulfillment in knowing that we are uniquely created by God to fulfill His plans and make a positive impact in the world.
Romans 12:3
“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.”
This verse encourages us to have a balanced and humble view of ourselves. It reminds us not to think of ourselves too highly or too lowly, but to have a sober judgment of ourselves based on the faith God has given each of us.
Having a healthy self-esteem requires us to have a balanced perception of ourselves. We should embrace our strengths and gifts without arrogance, while acknowledging our weaknesses and areas for growth without self-condemnation.
Psalm 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
This verse reminds us that God is our refuge and strength, always present to help us in times of trouble. It reassures us of God’s constant presence and His willingness to come to our aid whenever we face difficulties.
Knowing that we have a loving and powerful God as our refuge and strength can strengthen our self-esteem. We can find courage and confidence, knowing that we are not alone in our struggles, but have a faithful and mighty God by our side.
Psalm 37:5
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.”
This verse encourages us to commit our ways to the Lord and trust in Him. It promises that He will bring about justice and reward to those who trust in Him. God will make our righteousness shine like the dawn and bring vindication to our lives.
Having trust in the Lord and committing our ways to Him can have a positive impact on our self-esteem. We can have confidence that God is working on our behalf, bringing justice and vindication to our lives, even in the face of challenges or injustice.
Psalm 27:10
“Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.”
This verse reminds us that even if we experience rejection or abandonment from earthly relationships, the Lord will never forsake us. He is always ready to receive and embrace us with love and acceptance.
Knowing that God will never abandon us can be a source of comfort and security for our self-esteem. Even in moments of loneliness or rejection, we can find solace in the unwavering love and acceptance of our Heavenly Father.
Isaiah 41:10
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
This verse assures us that we should not fear or be dismayed because God is with us. He promises to strengthen, help, and uphold us with His righteous right hand.
Knowing that we have a faithful and powerful God by our side can boost our self-esteem. We can find courage and confidence in the face of challenges, knowing that God is with us and will provide the strength and support we need.
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
This verse assures us that God has good plans for our lives. His plans are to prosper us, not to harm us. He promises to give us hope and a future.
Knowing that God has good plans for our lives can have a significant impact on our self-esteem. We can find confidence and assurance in God’s faithfulness and the knowledge that He is working for our well-being and ultimate success.
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
This verse encourages us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and not rely solely on our own understanding. It advises us to submit to God in all our ways, and He will guide and direct our paths.
Trusting in the Lord and submitting to Him can positively impact our self-esteem. We can have confidence in His guidance, knowing that His ways are higher than ours and that He will lead us on the right path.
Psalm 34:5
“Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.”
This verse highlights the transformation that occurs when we look to God. It promises that those who look to Him will be radiant and will never be covered with shame.
When we turn our gaze to God and seek Him, our countenance changes. We can experience the freedom from shame and the radiance that comes from being in His presence. This can greatly boost our self-esteem.
Romans 8:31
“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
This verse reminds us of the powerful truth that God is for us. If the Creator of the universe is on our side, there is no one who can stand against us.
Understanding that God is for us can have a profound impact on our self-esteem. We can find confidence and security in the knowledge that we have a mighty defender and champion in our corner.
2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
This verse declares that when we are in Christ, we become new creations. Our old self is gone, and we are transformed into something new.
Recognizing our new identity in Christ can positively impact our self-esteem. We can find freedom from the mistakes and baggage of our past and embrace the newness and potential that comes from being in a relationship with Jesus.
Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
This verse offers an invitation from Jesus to come to Him and find rest for our weary and burdened souls. He promises to give us rest and ease our burdens.
Receiving this invitation from Jesus can have a profound impact on our self-esteem. We can find solace and comfort in knowing that we don’t have to carry the weight of life on our own, but we can find rest and support in Jesus.
Psalm 62:8
“Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”
This verse encourages us to trust in God at all times and pour out our hearts to Him. It reminds us that God is our refuge, a safe place where we can find comfort and security.
Having a refuge in God, where we can be vulnerable and pour out our hearts, can positively impact our self-esteem. We can find solace and healing as we entrust our fears, insecurities, and worries to our loving and trustworthy Heavenly Father.
Colossians 3:23-24
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
This verse encourages us to approach our work and endeavors with wholehearted dedication, as if we are working for the Lord Himself. It reminds us that our ultimate reward comes from the Lord.
Having this perspective on our work and efforts can positively impact our self-esteem. We can find fulfillment and purpose in knowing that our work is not in vain, but is serving a greater purpose and will be rewarded by the Lord.
Psalm 37:4
“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
This verse instructs us to find our delight and joy in the Lord. It promises that when we do, He will fulfill the desires of our hearts.
When we find our delight in the Lord, our self-esteem is anchored in His love and acceptance. We can trust Him to fulfill our deepest desires, aligning them with His perfect will and bringing ultimate satisfaction to our souls.
Proverbs 31:30
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”
This verse highlights the significance of fearing the Lord and living a life that honors Him. It emphasizes that true praise and worth come from a woman who fears the Lord, rather than from outward charm or beauty.
Understanding that true worth comes from a relationship with God can have a profound impact on our self-esteem. We can find security and confidence, knowing that our value lies in who we are in Christ, rather than in external appearance or worldly measures of worth.
Matthew 6:26
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”
This verse reminds us of our value and worth in the eyes of God. Jesus uses the example of how God cares for the birds of the air to emphasize that we, as His children, are even more valuable to Him.
Knowing that we are highly valued and cared for by God can boost our self-esteem. We can find reassurance and security, knowing that we are loved and valued by the Creator of the universe.
Galatians 2:20
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
This verse speaks of the profound transformation that occurs when we are united with Christ. It declares that our old self is crucified with Christ, and we now live by faith in Him.
Understanding this transformation can have a significant impact on our self-esteem. We can find confidence and purpose in knowing that our identity lies in Christ, and it is His life in us that empowers us to live for Him.
Isaiah 43:1
“But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”
This verse reassures us of God’s love and ownership over us. It reminds us that we belong to Him, and He has redeemed us and summoned us by name.
Understanding that we belong to God and are deeply loved by Him can have a profound impact on our self-esteem. We can find security and significance, knowing that we are cherished by the One who created and formed us.
2 Timothy 1:7
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.”
This verse reminds us that as believers, we are empowered by the Spirit of God. Instead of timidity, we are given power, love, and self-discipline.
Understanding the power and love that come from the Holy Spirit can positively impact our self-esteem. We can find boldness and confidence, knowing that we are equipped with the Spirit’s strength and guidance in every aspect of our lives.