The Great Gift of Low Self Esteem

There have been many times in my life when I have gone through phases of spiritual discouragement. Feeling like I am a terrible person... Feeling incredibly discouraged because I just can't seem to obey God or do my best... Even doubting my salvation because, 'how could a I be a Christian and do/say/think something like that?!'

As Christians, it seems like we often try to help people that are going through this valley by encouraging them in all of their own great qualities or by recognizing all of the good deeds they do.

I often try to comfort myself by remembering my good deeds or by comparing myself to others.

None of these methods of comfort ever truly fix our problems.

We may actually think we are doing something kind or good by reminding people of their good traits. It's definitely not wrong to complement someone. And I know we always mean well when we are trying to comfort someone. But in this situation, maybe we are actually quenching the Holy Spirit's conviction of sin in our lives.

Instead of looking to ourselves to have some sort of merit we can count on or feel good about, we should say, "Yes, I am a terrible sinner! I am the worst of the worst!" We should accept our state. And then... look to Christ. Who died to take those sins away and make us pure and justified through Him.

Next time you are discouraged about your sinful state, don't look to yourself to be clean. Look to Jesus Christ and thank Him for showing you your sinful state, and providing a sacrifice and atonement for our sins.

He takes away our sins completely.

Maybe the greatest gift we can ever receive is the feeling of inadequacy and discouragement....

Because without that, we would not see our need for a Savior. And we could not take part in the glorious peace that comes with trusting Him to forgive us and take our sins away.

Oh, the sweet peace of relying on Jesus and no longer on myself!

Matthew 5:3-4 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

2 Corinthians 5:21

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

~ Sarah