Lesson 3
Valuing Myself
VALUING MYSELF
The value of something is often determined by how someone assigns worth to it. Someone determines how useful something is or how much it is worth. Value may be in terms of monetary worth or just how important something is. It is possible that something can be worth a great deal to one person but be worthless to another.
I struggled with this when I was cleaning out my mom's belongings after she died. There were items that I knew were very meaningful to my mom and it was hard for me to throw them out. These were things that were not of any monetary value but sentimental value. The truth is that even though these things meant so much to her, they held no value to me.
So value is subjective.
In lesson one we admitted that we can easily fall into the practice of negative self talk. We can put ourselves down and if we fall prey to this kind of thinking we are contributing to devaluing ourselves. We may have people in our lives who belittle us or criticize us and we start to believe what they are saying. Maybe we just don't think too highly of ourselves and become our own greatest critic even if no one else sees us that way. Whatever our story, it is best to meditate on what God thinks of us. Let's take a look at the value God, through Christ puts on us.
GOD CREATED US
From the beginning we can see our value; the only creation made in the image of God.
Gen. 1:27 "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness..."
GOD IS ALWAYS THINKING OF YOU
As a mother thinks about her children, so God never forgets us.
Is. 49:15 "Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion on the son of her womb? Even if she could forget, I will not forget you."
Psalm 139: 17-18 "How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God, how vast is their sum! If I were to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand; and when I awake I am still with You."
GOD HAS GREAT PLANS FOR YOU
God not only thinks of you but He wants what is best for you.
Jer. 29:11 "For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, saith Jehovah, thoughts of peace, and not of evil to give you a hope."
GOD LOVES YOU
An almighty God who needs nothing to be complete chooses to love us.
Jer. 31:3 "I have loved you with an everlasting love."
GOD DIED TO PAY FOR OUR SINS
Rom. 3:8 "While we were still sinners Christ died for us."
GOD ADOPTED US AS CHILDREN
God values us highly. We are called His beloved children
1 John 3:1-2 "Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Beloved, we are now children of God and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is."
It is interesting to note that in the day of Jesus women were not thought of very highly. We could say that they were not valued by men at all. They were oppressed, discounted and often treated badly. It is often said that Christianity elevated women to a place of honor. The teaching that husbands should treat their wives in an understanding way as co-heirs of Christ was very radical!
1 Pet. 3:7 "Husbands live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered."
Don't take offense to the weaker vessel phrase. This does not at all indicate weaker in value or importance. Women generally are more fragile physically and emotionally. But women are of equal value to God as heirs to the promise. There is no partiality with God between men and women. Both are valued highly and equally. Men are instructed to understand their wives; a very difficult task, and be the protector. The passage even states that if a man chooses not to treat his wife with respect, his prayers will be hindered. Whether God won't hear his prayers or won't honor his prayers is up for debate.
Let's look at value this way.....
COMPARE THREE COFFEE CONTAINERS
THE FOAM CUP - This cup is inexpensive and used for casual events. It is disposable and easily replaced. No one sets these cups in a glass cabinet for all to see.
THE TRAVEL MUG - This cup will cost a bit more and does a better job of keeping our coffee hot. But it is more durable. It can take being dropped and still will most likely be ok. We throw these in the back seat of the car and often they stay there for days until we clean out the vehicle and then they come in with all the others to be washed. We like our travel mug but can easily buy another if it gets lost. They are found in every store.
THE CHINA COFFEE CUP WITH SAUCER - This delicate china coffee cup is more costly. It has a beautiful flower design on it that matches the saucer. It is only used for the most important of occasions. No one would dare bring it in the car for a long ride. No one would think of throwing it away after one use. It usually has a prominent spot in the china cabinet and is handled with great care. It is a pleasure to use this cup and it is washed with the most gentle of soaps by hand so not to chip the edges.
What do we think of ourselves?
Cheap, disposable, nothing special?
Easily banged around, thrown in the back seat to be remembered in a few days?
Or are we unique, delicate, special, and valuable, set aside for a special purpose?
I think God sees us as the china cup, lovely and used for the greatest of purposes; used for special occasions. We are the vessel of the Holy Spirit and our lives should be used for His purposes.
This is how God looks at His children. Do we?
It is important as the image bearers of God to strive to see with the eyes of God.
As the old Amy Grant song says,
"She's got her Father's eyes.
Eyes that find the good in things when good is not around
Eyes that find the source of help when help just can't be found
Eyes full of compassion, seeing every pain
Knowing what you're going through and feeling it the same
Just like my Father's eyes."
As Christian women we must value ourselves as God's precious creations so we can see value in others. The safety and security that our children will find in our presence comes from them knowing that they are highly valued both by God and their parents. That sure attachment and commitment of unconditional love will be huge in their spiritual growth. Their worth is not in what they can or cannot do but in who they are; children who belong to God and your family. They are yours.
Prov. 31:10 "A wife of noble character, who can find? She is worth far more than rubies."
Prov. 31:28-30 "Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many women do noble things but you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but the women who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."
STUDY QUESTIONS
1) How do you see yourself? Foam cup, travel mug, or china cup?
2) Is it easy for you to see value in others?
3) Is it easy for you to see the value in your children for who they are?
4) Do you find your identity in what you do or in who you are or in whose you are?