Self-esteem describes a person’s sense of self-worth. Your self-esteem is important in working in purpose. It is an important motivation that can influence your actions. The challenges we face in pursuing purpose is one of the things which breaks our self-esteem. These challenges may keep you in a place of doubt about your abilities and diminishes the self-confidence you have while working to attain your life goals.
Does the story in the paragraphs below resemble your story?
“At this this point of my life, I feel depressed because it looks like I cannot measure up to my peers. Some have good jobs; others are getting married and growing families; others are driving expensive cars; others have money to travel for vacations etc. These are my peers. We studied together in school, got into the hustles of professional life together, dreamed and prepared to have a good family etc. Yet it feels like those around me are achieving so much while I remain in the background. I had a glimpse of my purpose and I have been taking little steps in line with working in purpose. I could perceive the vision of my Christian ministry. I took intentional steps in line with my ministry, and at a certain point, I had a lot of trials and I felt like giving up. I know my professional path and at the moment I am putting in much effort to self/skill development to attain my professional dreams, yet it looks like it is taking too long for me to have just the decent job of my dreams and meeting up with my financial commitments is not easy etc.
Though I am still in the background, I believe I am at the right position to keep developing myself and working towards attaining my goals. Nevertheless, the societal pressures are enormous. Some people look at me and think I am at this place because I am very slow. They do not know how hard working I am and committed to my course. Despite so much potential and zeal I carry for great exploits, sometimes depression sets in and I feel like giving up on my dreams. At times, I think I am not good enough and this even negatively affects my relationship with others who seem to be progressing fast in their lives as I turn to envy them…”
Do you feel like your hardship is affecting your self-esteem?
Let’s get inspiration from the biblical story of Joseph on not letting hardship break self-esteem.
Joseph had visions of becoming a ruler at a very young age. Yet, he was sold into slavery and despite the hardship, he remained a faithful servant, taking care of his master’s household and never gave up on his self-worth. He was thrown into prison for clinging to his self-worth, personal values and refusing pressures of having an unhealthy relationship with is master’s wife. While in prison, Joseph kept serving others, taking charge of all the prisoners, still trusted God and never gave up on his confidence. While serving and taking care of prisoners, Joseph noticed two prisoners who looked upset and he had to inquire why they were upset. These prisoners happened to be the servants of king Pharaoh (the king’s baker and cup bearer) who had been put in prison. Joseph solved their problem by interpreting their dreams and introducing them to God who gave him the ability to interpret their dreams. The king restored his cup bearer to his duty post just as Joseph had told him while interpreting his dreams. Sometime later, king Pharaoh had a dream and his cup bearer told him about Joseph the prisoner who could interpret dreams. Joseph interpreted the dreams with Godly wisdom and Pharaoh made Joseph ruler of Egypt.
Joseph had visions of being ruler, yet he remained in the background for thirteen years before becoming ruler. Notwithstanding the hardship during these years, he upheld his worth and his dreams and values. Joseph’s term as slave and prisoner served as his training ground for governance. While in the background, his character, service and skills were being developed. After being a servant and taking care of Pharaoh’s household, he was put in prison where he had to take care of prisoners. All these were preparing him to be a servant leader of Egypt and to take care of an entire nation.
The seasons of hardship are not easy but be vigilant about this season. Be careful not to let the difficulties weigh down your self-esteem. Instead, if well approached, difficult seasons may be character refining moments and training ground for greater exploits in line with fulfilling purpose. Keep working and keep holding on.
Is your self-esteem broken? There is still hope!
The manufacturer of a product gives the value and worth of its product when manufacturing it. When the product is spoiled or broken and taken to the manufacturer to be fixed, he repairs it such that it has same worth which enables it to keep functioning in the purpose for which it was created.
Do you know what our creator says about us? This is what He says about us:
“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. … For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 1:5a &29:11).
You are of great worth in God’s eyes. Your season of hardship may be a refining moment or training ground for you. See yourself through the lens of the creator and redeem your self-worth.
A healthy self-esteem is of essence in pursuing purpose. A healthy self-esteem will help you remain focused and not to give up on walking in purpose.