6 Powerful Tools That Will Transform How You Measure Your Self-Worth

In this article, Chip’s wife, Theresa Ingram, shares tools and truths she used to grasp her self-worth and identity in Christ. 

Self-worth is, at times, a struggle for every one of us. Were you raised in a healthy, Christian family who encouraged you to seek your identity in Christ? Or were you raised in a way that connected your identity to external markers?

No matter your upbringing, there are times when we all grab the world’s measuring stick and use it to gauge our self-worth.

When this happens, we instinctively calculate our value based on things like looks, talent, abilities, or circumstances. 

We know that we can’t base our self-worth on externals, and yet it’s still a struggle for each of us at times. For example, in an article on Quartz, the author reports that research has shown that it’s a big mistake to base our self-worth on professional achievements. 

On the flip side, God’s measuring stick is simple and unequalled: 

He knows your name.

You are redeemed and loved.

You’re created with a purpose to glorify Him. 

Do you believe this?

THE TRUTH ABOUT OUR IDENTITY AND SELF-WORTH 

Since we all find ourselves believing the Enemy’s lies at times and letting that impact our confidence and self-worth, we need to go back to our Creator and discover our purpose and worth in Him. This process of uncovering and accepting who we are in Christ equips us to resist the lies that are guaranteed to come. But instead of believing them, you’ll be ready to wage war against them and replace them with God’s truths from the Scriptures!

It’s not easy, but the importance of responding based on God’s truth rather than our negative self-perceptions cannot be overstated. And in this article, I’ll share some tried-and-true methods for making that happen. 

To quickly jump to the 6 tools, use the links in this Table of Content below. 

1. Recognize the battle is in your mind. 
2. Have regular, planned times of mind renewal.
3. Train your mind to think about what is true.
4. Walk by faith, not by sight.
5. Grow alongside a partner in the faith. 
6. Speak encouraging words.

To be clear, the purpose is not to cultivate a continual sense of self-awareness, which can become self-absorption. It’s about trusting God and being content with ourselves so that we can enjoy Him and let Him work through us! 

God desires for us to see ourselves in the same light as He does and to be free to become everything He made us to be.

God desires for us to see ourselves in the same light as He does and to be free to become everything He made us to be. Click To Tweet

Do your words and deeds reflect the truth about you? 

• You are beautiful in God’s eyes.
• As His creation, you are infinitely valuable.
• Because you are His child, you are pure in His sight.

Do you believe His words to your core? Or is it time to make adjustments to your beliefs about your worth? 

Thankfully, the Bible provides us with the framework for achieving adjustments. It contains all of the necessary tools for changing our perceptions of ourselves. These methods will assist you in transforming negative self-talk into a decision to embrace God’s truth, and allow you to see yourself the way He sees you.

6 Biblical Tools That Will Transform How You Measure Your Self-Worth

1. Recognize the battle is in your mind. 

Let’s point out the most obvious, and possibly most difficult, fact to acknowledge as a believer: a life of faith cannot be steered by feelings. 

Do you choose to believe what your Creator says about you? Most of us don’t reflexively believe it! That’s because our thought life is where the battle exists and we need to renew our minds. 

 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2–3)

Resisting the patterns of this world will take an attitude of the mind that overcomes instinct and feelings. It requires a total transformation of the mind that enables us to make wise, sound decisions that reflect His will.

Our thought life is where the battle exists and the way to fight back is with a renewed mind! Click To Tweet

WE CAN HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST

Did you know that Paul told the believers in Corinth that they had the mind of Christ? That applies to us, too! 

“For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:16, ESV)

Through the Holy Spirit, God promises us access to the very mind of Christ so we can think how He thinks. That’s transformation! 

Before we learn how to overcome, let’s point out some common lies that we believe:

God doesn’t really love me.

What others see as goodness isn’t good, it’s restrictive. 

I’m worthless and condemned. 

The enemy does not want us to know and believe who we really are— 

• Loved
• Secure
• Valuable
• Forgiven

Rather, he wants us to be crushed under the weight of believing we are helpless victims.

To overcome and win the battle, we have to take an active role in this renewal process.

To overcome the enemy’s lies about our identity and value, we have to take an ACTIVE role in this renewal process. Identify the lies and replace them with truths straight from God’s Word … and then BELIEVE Him. Click To Tweet

2. Have regular, planned times of mind renewal. 

The active role referenced above includes learning the truths that will actively replace the lies. 

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12 NIV)

Regular time in God’s Word reaps great benefits. It requires discipline, but when we read His Word and learn from Him, we are prepared to replace lies with His words of truth.

But that’s not all. 

In addition to creating a habit of studying God’s Word, arm yourself with it! Meditate on it and memorize it, letting it work its way deep into your heart. 

Imagine having verses to recall in an instant when you need them? I have had numerous instances of God reminding me of a verse that gives me the encouragement or correction I needed in the moment. It’s an instruction with a promise that we see referenced in the Bible. 

“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” (Joshua 1:8 NIV)

 We have to know, understand, and act upon the truth. Start by hiding God’s Word in your heart. 

Learn more about gaining tools that will transform your self-perspective and worth in my book, Precious in His Sight, available in the Living on the Edge bookstore.

3. Train your mind to think about what is true. 

Paul put it this way: 

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (Colossians 3:2 NIV)

Consider the negative thought patterns that have taken up residence in your head and find ways to become aware of them. Identify false beliefs that impact your reactions and perspectives. Then, once your awareness is heightened, replace those lies with their opposing truths. 

This isn’t a thought; it’s literally making a note of the negative thought, writing it down, and then replacing it with truths from the Bible. 

Learn the truths that will replace the lies with Affirmation Cards, made thoughtfully for the women in your life. 

4. Walk by faith, not by sight. 

In faith, we — as believers — believe in and act on the Word of God, even when circumstances and feelings are telling us something else. 

The author of Hebrews said it best:

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1)

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

Faith is the foundation for CHOOSING to fill our minds with God’s truth and STOP living in a way that opens us up to believe the lies. For instance:

• Do you interact with God’s Word regularly? Are reflection and prayer a part of your life? Making these things a priority and believing God will use them to work in your life will take a step of faith!
• Are you harboring negative feelings about someone? It will take a step of faith — a CHOICE — to forgive and leave the outcome to God, believing justice is His alone. 

Trust Him to change your thinking habits. He is able.

Help to overcome: How To Faithfully Overcome Tragedy and Thrive in the Hardest Times

5. Grow alongside a partner in the faith. 

We are made to grow in community! God has never asked us to grow alone. 

“Two are better than one,

   because they have a good return for their labor:

If either of them falls down,

    one can help the other up.

But pity anyone who falls

    and has no one to help them up.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9–10)

Not only do we need encouragement and comfort from one another, but we also need to be pointed back on the road of truth when we start to veer. 

This can be done through an accountability relationship. This kind of intentional relationship includes enlisting the support of someone who loves you, with the sole purpose of helping you keep your commitments to a sovereign God. It’s a partnership built on an agreement to be honest about what’s below the surface. 

This kind of partnership invites someone into your life to help you keep YOUR commitment to God and point to His truths. They’ll have the clarity to spot the lies you’re believing and help you replace them with the truth. 

You’re working towards accepting your true identity in Christ and your biblical accountability relationship will be a powerful partner. 

Working on operating from your true self-worth? A biblical accountability partner will have the clarity to spot the lies you’re believing and help you replace them with God’s truths and His real opinion of you. Click To Tweet

Read next: 5 Bible Verses To Inspire and Direct Biblical Accountability Relationships

6. Speak encouraging words. 

“Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never…”

We all know that’s completely false. Our words—the words we speak to each other and the words we speak to ourselves—have value and immeasurable power. And when someone speaks to us with an awareness of our true identity, we feel good. It stirs up our hope and confidence.

Here are two easy ways to apply this principle: 

1. Do you see a specific gifting in someone? Tell them! 
2. Can you identify a positive quality in Christ that someone possesses? Encourage their faith by calling out their fruit!
   

Many believers don’t know who they are in Christ or how they’re gifted to serve the body. Your words might be the very encouragement they need. 

BEGIN YOUR SELF-WORTH TRANSFORMATION TODAY

Ready to walk in the fullness and wholeness that God has for you? Are you done falling for the Enemy’s lies?

Today is the day to start using these biblical tools to transform how you measure your self-worth, purpose, and value. Keep yourself anchored in His Word daily. Retrain your mind to accept just the truth and reject all lies about your identity. 

Learn practical steps for renewing your mind and hear more about Theresa’s story in a copy of her book, Precious in His Sight, in the Living on the Edge bookstore.

RELATED ARTICLES

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5 Practical Steps to Renew Your Mind and Replace Negative Thoughts

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Precious in His Sight, by Theresa Ingram

Affirmation Cards for Women