In my last post, I looked at the fact that God sees you as valuable. He has done a great deal to care for you and to ensure you have a home with Him for the rest of eternity. We do not have a God that sees us as sinners unworthy of His grace. Rather, we have a God that regards us highly, who sees each and every one of us as valuable and worthwhile. How, then, should that affect how I view and treat myself in this life?

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

I Corinthians 6:19-20

I’ve seen this passage used in the context of forbidding alcohol, drugs, even piercings and tattoos; but Paul is communicating something deeper to us. He tells us that God has purchased us. He has redeemed us at great price. Therefore we should treat ourselves as valuable. It might seem obvious, but I can’t tell you how many Christians I’ve known who treat themselves poorly. It saddens me when I encounter brothers or sisters in Christ who obviously think little of themselves, who don’t take care of themselves, who just seem to drudge along with little sense of self-respect or self-worth.

I also can’t say there are any easy answers to that problem. A low self esteem can be a difficult thing to overcome, but maybe these verse can help you or someone you love view themselves as God sees them.

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

Psalm 139:13-14

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

I John 3:1

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies?And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Luke 12:6-7

Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

I John 4:4

If you don’t feel very valuable right now, talk to God about it. Go to Him in prayer. Study your Bible, and see the great love He has for you. It may be that you have a hard time seeing the love your family and friends have for you right now, but God will always be there. He is always waiting to lift you up. I don’t think for a second that a single blog post will fix everything, but I hope to inspire you to start seeking help, to start looking upward.

Take care of yourself, for God cares for you. Value yourself, for God values you. Talk to others about your feelings, and let your fellow Christian lift you up. You have a hope greater than anything this world can offer, so don’t let the world knock that hope out of you. You have been purchased with a very high price. God sees you as worth His time, His grace, His sacrifice. None of us may be able to earn God’s grace, but that doesn’t make us worthless. In fact, it speaks all the more to how much our God loves us and values us. It means He has to put that much more effort into our being with Him, and He doesn’t begrudge us that effort. We are His craftsmanship, so let’s start treating ourselves like the valuable souls we are.