Feelings of inferiority and low self-esteem are built up over a period of many years and changes take some time. Nevertheless we help you get a colourful view of yourself as the way God sees you, and help you become the way you see yourself.
We give you genuine support and approval, help you to develop understanding of yourself, encourage you with sincere disclosure, help you with a realistic evaluation of yourself, help you evaluate your past experiences positively, and help you set goals and priorities so that you become the person God created you to be.
Some highly regarded theologians are camped at the debate of the value of self-esteem of Christians and stresses on human sinfulness and self-denial rather than self-worth and our being right with God through what Christ did on the cross for us. Different views have come and continue to be presented in this age from great and humble servants of God. Anthony A. Hoekema wrote a book showing that the Bible teaches us to have a positive image of ourselves because we are new creatures in Christ. David Carlson agrees that a poor self-image will devastate anybody. The solution is not to give ourselves pep talks to boost our self-esteem. Instead, we need to find a Biblical kind of esteem. Lasting self-esteem can be only developed by truths from the word of God by the Spirit of God.
The Bible & Self-Esteem
God highly esteems us. Throughout the Bible He constantly affirms all humans as valuable in his sight. We were created in His image; in Adam we lost His image and in Christ we are legally restored. He sent His Son to die for our sins that we may be restored in his image. He sent angels to guard us, the Holy Spirit to guide and empower us, and the scriptures to teach us. He said that we are salt of the earth and light of the world. We who trust in Him will spend eternity with Him. We can be as bad as we think — can we? Are you going to argue with God?
The Causes of Inferiority and Low Self-Esteem
1. Faulty Theology
2. Sin and Guilt
3. Past Experience
4. Parent-Child Relationship
5. Unrealistic Expectations
6. Faulty Thinking
7. Community Influence
The Effects of Inferiority and Low Self-Esteem
• Feeling of isolation and being unlovable
• Feeling of weakness to overcome deficiencies and lack of drive or motivation
• Anger, but afraid of angering others
• Having difficulty getting along with others
• Sensitive that feelings are hurt easily
• Having lower curiosity and creativity
• A lack of inner peace
• Social withdrawal
• Self-criticism
• Depression
• A drive to gain superiority and control over others
• A tendency to complain, be argumentative, intolerant, hypersensitive and unforgiving
• Inability to accept compliments or expressions of love
• An inclination to be a poor listener
• Impatience with self and others
Self-esteem can have a wide influence. Everyone feels inferior sometimes, but when inferiority feelings are intense or long lasting, values and behaviors are affected.
Help For Those With Inferiority Feelings And Low Self-Esteem
Feelings of inferiority and low self-esteem are built up over many years. It’s unrealistic to expect change to come overnight. Over a period of time, help can come in a variety of ways.
1. Give constant support, acceptance and approval.
2. Seek to develop understanding.
3. Share biblical perspectives on self-esteem.
4. Encourage self-disclosure and realistic self-evaluation.
5. Stimulation of a re-examination of experiences, goals and priorities.
6. The avoidance of destructive tendencies.
7. Stimulation of group support.
8. Learning to deal with sin.
Prevention Of Low Self-Esteem
Though parents and most churches fall short of preventing low self-esteem, these two institutions can contribute by a great measure to promote good self-esteem by the following:
1. Prevention through teaching and self-help.
2. Prevention through parental guidance.
3. Prevention through the Christian community.
4. A study of how God sees us as members of His blood-bought family.