This article is adapted from our Keys for Living book, Self-Worth: Discover Your God-Given Value
I’m worthless. Useless. Not good enough. I just need to try harder, then I’ll be accepted.
So many people carry around negative thoughts like these because of the harsh messages and lies they have been repeatedly told by others. At the heart of many of our mental and emotional challenges, relationship troubles, and unhealthy behaviors are issues related to our identity and sense of worth.
Healing and spiritual growth often begin not by “doing more” or changing our habits, but by understanding how precious we are to God and embracing the life-changing identity we have in Christ.
Realize, you are made in God’s image. Because of that, you have infinite worth—more than any coin or currency this world can afford. You belong to God. The Creator and King of the universe not only created you in His image, but He cares for you. He crowns you with glory and honor, showing your infinite, inherent, unchangeable worth.
“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.”
(Psalm 8:3–5)
12 Truths on Your God-Given Worth
God wants you to see yourself through His eyes—as His image-bearer with infinite worth.
“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.”
(Genesis 1:26-27, 31)
God wants you to see yourself through His eyes—as precious and honored in His sight.
“You are precious and honored in my sight, and . . . I love you.”
(Isaiah 43:4)
God wants you to see yourself through His eyes—as His beloved child.
“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)
God wants you to know that you are fully accepted in Christ—not due to your performance but due to His grace.
“He made us accepted in the Beloved.”
(Ephesians 1:6 NKJV)
God will not reject His people, His beloved possession.
“The Lord will not reject his people;
he will not abandon his special possession.”
(Psalm 94:14 NLT)
God understands the pain of being devalued and held in low esteem.
“He [Jesus] was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.”
(Isaiah 53:3)
God offers healing from past pain, guilt, and shame.
“Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me.”
(Psalm 30:2)
God wants you to look to Him and His Word to find your true worth.
“You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope.”
(Psalm 119:114 NLT)
God wants you to replace lies and negative thoughts with His Word.
“Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.”
(Romans 12:2 NLT)
God wants you to forgive those who hurt you and led you to feel worthless.
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
(Colossians 3:13)
God wants you to show respect to everyone because we all bear His image.
“Show proper respect to everyone.”
(1 Peter 2:17)
God wants you to encourage others who have low self-worth.
“Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”
(Ephesians 4:29 NLT)
Helpful Resources for You
Free Download
You are worth more than you know. Get our free download, Reclaiming My Dignity, and learn how God’s Word provides healing and restoration from abuse.
Keys for Living Book
Go deeper with our Keys for Living book and learn how, with God’s help, you can break free from false perceptions and hurtful influences. Discover the truth that in Christ – you are loved, you are valued, and you are accepted!
Lifeline Video Course
An 78-minute online video course with practical guidance from professional, biblical counselors on how our self-worth impacts our thoughts, relationships, and spiritual life as well as common characteristics and causes of low self-worth. Discover how to replace lies and negative messages with biblical truth, the importance of seeing yourself through God’s eyes, and the life-changing identity you have in Christ.