Never Doubt Your Worth

For those of us who deal with prolonged issues such as pain, anxiety and depression, it’s easy to begin to question your abilities and worth.

Once vibrant, bright-eyed and energetic, we slowly become hollow, dull-eyed and exhausted. Perhaps your issues have made it impossible for you to hold a job, or you’re greatly limited in your activities. Maybe you were forced into early retirement, which has left you feeling “less than…” You see so many things you’d like to do, but CAN’T. It’s beyond frustrating, and that hungering, spirit of laughter and anticipation you once wielded so freely as a child gets beaten down and beaten down, until all that’s left is what the naysayers view as a broken-down, loathsome soul.

Well, let me reassure you, God has placed a calling on your life, no matter what this wicked ole world thinks about you.

In First Samuel 16:7, God Himself told Samuel, “People judge others by what they look like, but I judge people by what is in their hearts.”

Don’t measure your self-worth by the negative thoughts which fire through your brain all day. Don’t view yourself through the eyes of those who see you as anything less than a child of the King.

No matter your situation, no matter your age, no matter your weight, no matter your limitations, go forth in boldness, looking to the dawn for hope of a new day.

Laughter and love, not tears and anger. Joy and hope, not sadness and despair.

Let me tell you something, I used to do this all the time. Still do sometimes, but I’m working on it. We must see ourselves as the Lord sees us. The world has smeared our self-image with abhorrent names: weak, old, lazy, pathetic or worthless.

But this is what the Lord says: “(Y)ou are God’s chosen and special people. You are a group of royal priests and a holy nation. God has brought you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Now you must tell all the wonderful things that he has done (1 Peter 2:9).”

A couple of years ago I told the Lord if any good can come of all the pain, depression, trials and tribulations I’ve experienced, to please give me the backbone to bring it to fruition. Now I find myself writing a book about not only my experiences but those of friends and family, some of whom have suffered agonies and tragedies far more severe than mine.

This is my attempt at turning a negative into a positive. It’s me kicking at the darkness ’til it bleeds daylight (to borrow from the Bruce Cockburn song, “Lovers in a Dangerous Time”).

When I felt valueless and scornful, God told me the same thing he is trying to tell you:

You are chosen.

You are special.

Don’t doubt your worth. You are called by the Lord on high to shine like stars in the night. Don’t waste your days bemoaning the despair around you. Look up, and allow God’s light to permeate your spirit. Make the conscious decision that you won’t settle for anything less than your best.

Never doubt your worth; move forward in power and strength.

You can do it, I know you can. I have faith in you.

Believe me, if I can do it, anybody can.