Many would describe self-esteem as confidence in one ability. But what does God say about self-esteem?
So, let’s redefine self-esteem from a kingdom perspective. It is having confidence in your identity in Christ Jesus and that you are made in His image. You are not what the world says you are but you’re who God says you are!
Our self-esteem can be shaped by different experiences including societal norms, upbringing, to even personal experiences. But let’s say those experiences were bad. Then your whole image would also be negative.
For years, I walked around with shame, fear, and low self-esteem even though I was a Christian. I allowed what others and how I felt about myself to define who I am.
This let me know that it’s possible to know God without knowing the truth of your Identity in Him. And guess what, people will then treat you very poorly. It doesn’t take long to know if a person has low self-esteem either.
Luckily,the word of God is filled with Bible verses about self-esteem and confidence.
If you are curious like me then you’ll want to know what low self-esteem looks like in a person. Ask yourself if any of these fit you:
- Always putting yourself down
- You dismiss your achievements as if its nothing
- You avoid taking risks because you think you’ll fail
- You are constantly seeking validation from others
- You fear rejection and criticism
- Always comparing yourself to others
- You struggle to accept compliments from others
Woah, that list reminds me of some of the things that God delivered me from and some that I still deal every now and then.
How To Overcome Low Self-esteem with Bible Verses?
1) Start by recognizing your worth from God’s point of view – Your worth isn’t based on your achievements but on God’s word.
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:10
2) Trust in God’s love for you! – Through the love of God, you’ll find the courage to face challenges and the confidence to embrace your identity as children of God.
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” – 1 John 3:1
3) Replace those negative thoughts with God’s truth.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” – Philippians 4:8
4) Only seek validation from God’s word.
“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.” – 1 Peter 2:9
5) Seek consolation from God’s word
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13
6) Surround yourself with people who are positive.
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11
On this journey, you need to have compassion and forgive yourself. That means being kinder and less hard on oneself.
Forgiving yourself will help to release negative emotions and increase inner peace. Create a habit of gratitude by regularly expressing thankfulness to God for the unique qualities and gifts He has given you
Bible Verses to Boost Confidence and Self-Esteem
Psalm 139:14
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
Do you know that you were intentionally and uniquely created by God? There are over 7 billion people in the world yet there isn’t one person on this earth that can be compared to you.
God did not make a mistake when he created you! Never let yourself worth be based on external factors. Take a moment and give praise to the Creator of the universe.
Doing this will help build your self-esteem, reminding you that you are perfect just as you are. Yes, even with all the flaws! Start embracing your uniqueness and appreciate every special quality you have.
Philippians 4:13
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
This verse is like my mantra whenever I feel incapable of doing something. As humans we can struggle with feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt.
But this bible quote let us know that we can be confident in our ability because our trust is in God. The word of God didn’t say we can do some things but rather all through Him.
Meditate on this verse daily and you’ll see how your confidence and self-esteem improve.
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.”
Fear is one of the roots of depression and low self-esteem. When you fear, you start second guessing your own abilities and worth. That’s not image of a child of God!
Isaiah 41:10 is a powerful scripture to reassure you that you’re not alone. Just this one verse can alleviate every anxiety and doubt because we know God is with us and that we are an overcomer.
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 proverb has brought me through so many hard times. Sometimes our biggest problem is that we try to do everything on our own. But God want us to surrender all control and place our trust in him.
It’s time for you to take the pressure off yourself trying to find all the answers. And start believing God!
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.”
What is your purpose? Each and every one of us has a unique purpose in this world. You cannot fulfil your purpose if you don’t know who you are in Christ.
Understand this that you are not just mere products of chance, but rather intentionally designed for a specific calling. As you’re on this journey of self-love and acceptance, keep this truth dearly to you.
Romans 8:37
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
Other words that can replace a conqueror are a winner, defeater, victor, champion or hero. Those are all the things that God is saying you are.
Whatever challenges you are facing, remember that you have the strength to overcome them. Let this scripture be the confidence that you are loved and nothing can stand in your way.
2 Timothy 1:7
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
I want to highlight that fear does not come from God. God has given us the Spirit of Power which is the Holy spirit to empower us to face every trial with confidence.
He has also given us the Spirit of Love which allows us to love ourself and others selflessly. Lastly the Spirit of discipline. The Holy Spirit within us has given us the ability to overcome any fear and stand strong in our identify in Christ Jesus.
Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
The mere fact that God tell us to be strong and courageous is enough evidence that we can do it. This command doesn’t only apply to Joshua but also to all believers.
God isn’t asking us to be strong but is commanding us to be so. When you know that the presence of God is with you, you can overcome every disappointment!
Meditating on this verse will help you to believe in yourselves and abilities.
Psalm 27:1
“The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?”
Who is the Lord to you? He is your light. He is your salvation. He is the stronghold of your life. That means that if we surrender to God and put our faith in Him instead of our strength then he’ll guide you.
So, what is there to fear when he’s in control? When the bible refers to God as a light it means that He will guide you in every situation.
1 Corinthians 15:10
“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.”
Let’s be like Paul and recognize that everything we are originates from God. That includes your identity, function and abilities. Your self-worth should be based on God’s grace.
It is important to balance your effort and with God’s grace! Even though that Paul worked hard, he attributed his success to God’s grace.
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.”
Knowing that we are united with Christ and that our old selves have been crucified allows us to let go of insecurities and embrace our true identity as children of God.
Now that Christ lives in you, allow your thoughts, desires, and actions to be transformed with the truth of His Word. Your self-esteem should be rooted in the fact that Christ loved you enough to give Himself for you.
Psalm 46:1-3
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”
God is an ever-present help! In times of doubt and insecurity, it is comforting to know that we are not alone and that we can rely on God’s unfailing love and protection.
Let this passage be a source of comfort, reminding you that you are capable of overcoming any obstacle with the help of God.
Romans 12:2
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
You can never attain perfection according to the world standards. The only way to have a positive self-image is to have your identity in Christ rather than seeking validation from external sources.
Start renewing your mind with the truth of God’s word and see our worth in His eyes. Our self-worth come from our relationship with God, and not from the standards of the world.
Romans 15:13
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
If you’re struggling with low self-esteem then this verse can be a source of hope. Through faith in God, you can find peace and joy in Him. When you trust in God’s love, you’ll find that it’s easier to overcome feelings of inadequacy.
Psalm 34:5
“Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.”
Are you struggling with shame? Then this bible verse let us know that if we put our faith in God we will be filled with self-confidence and radiance. Free from feelings of shame or insecurity!
Stop looking at your flaws and mistakes and look to God for the solution.
Proverbs 29:25
“Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.”
Are you someone who is swayed by the opinions and criticisms of others? Always seeking approval from people. If yes, then this bible quote is for you! This scripture emphasizes to put our trust in God rather than seeking validation from others.
The reality is when you live in fear of what others think, it hinders your decision making, authenticity and freedom. It’s only when we trust in God that we can be free from the snares of human approval.
Hebrews 10:35
“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.”
What is this confidence we should not throw away? This confidence is our rest in God’s love and the finished word of Jesus Christ. There is a reward to holding onto this confidence both earthly and spiritually.
This kind of confidence has nothing to do with self-reliance but rather in the assurance of God’s promises. It is vital to believe in your God given abilities to help you achieve greatness.
Isaiah 40:31
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
If we put our hope in the Lord then He will renew our strength and enable us to overcome challenges with resilience and determination. Waiting means, we are trusting His timing and purpose for our life.
We may not be where we want in life but the Lord promises to sustain us and give us strength to push forward. Our weariness doesn’t influence God’s faithfulness towards you.
Psalm 56:3
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”
Having high self-esteem is not about feeling invincible or never experiencing fear or doubt. But rather about trusting in God rather than ourselves when you face challenges.
Once your self-esteem is rooted in Christ Jesus, you’ll have no problem dealing with rejections or fear.
Jeremiah 17:7-8
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
I am ending with this bible verse as it sums up what it is to have a self-esteem rooted in the Word of God. Just like how the tree doesn’t fear the heat or the drought. It’s the same with us when our confidence is in God. We’ll be able to weather every storm without being shaken. What a promise!
Final Statements on Low Self Esteem
I really enjoyed writing this article on the best bible verses for those struggling with low self-esteem. In summary, I want to remind you that you are wonderfully made and is deeply love by God.
If there is an area where you feel inadequate in life remember the poplar scripture that says you can do all things through Christ Jesus. By reading and meditating on what the Bible say about your self-esteem, you’ll find confidence in your identity in Christ Jesus.
