“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

(1 John 4:7-8)

Most humans talk to themselves regularly. According to WebMD, talking to oneself out loud is less common but one study reported that 96 percent of adults say they have an internal dialogue.

Regardless of whether we talk to ourselves silently or aloud, the things we say can positively or negatively affect our wellbeing. People with a negative self-image tend to focus on their faults and weaknesses while those who see themselves in a positive light recognize their assets and potential, which leads to a higher sense of self-worth. 

During her husband’s presidency, First Lady Louisa Adams was scrutinized for being a foreigner, aristocrat and advocate for women’s rights. But in spite of all that was said about her, Louisa knew
her worth. 

Thinking of women like her, she wrote, “Under all circumstances we must never desert ourselves.” 

Believing in our inherent worth makes it easier to see the worth in others. As Christians, we have the responsibility to learn to love ourselves so that we can follow Jesus’ directive in Matthew 22:39: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 

Fortunately, the Bible has quite a bit to say about self-love and self-talk. In Philippians 4:8, Paul tells us:

“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.”

These scriptures remind us of our worth:

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son…” (John 3:16)

God sent Jesus to die for us because He loves us. If we’re precious in God’s eyes, then why can’t we also see it?  

“Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. So God created man in his own image; in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:26-27)  

My grandson has a T-shirt that reads, “God doesn’t make junk!” 

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.”
(2 Timothy 1:7)

We have the power to change the way we feel about ourselves and build confidence through prayer, positive self-talk and reading the Bible.  

Here’s another reminder that you are beautifully and wonderfully made. God has a plan for you that is uniquely yours.

How to live positively in a negative world