Low self-esteem, insecurities, and lack of confidence are common issues that many people face in life. There are several things that can cause a person to have a negative self-image. Childhood trauma, abuse, failures, and other painful experiences can make a person live many years feeling unworthy and inferior.
Loving yourself is necessary for living a fulfilled and joyful life. Self-love affects how you treat yourself and those around you. If you are someone who struggles with poor self-esteem, there are things you can do to start feeling good about yourself and live your life with more confidence.
1) Accept yourself as you are
In order to love yourself, you have to start accepting yourself as you are, flaws and all. Face it, no one is perfect. There is always going to be something about yourself that you might not care for. You may have a desire to lose weight. It’s nothing wrong with wanting to lose weight or improve something about your physical appearance. However, you have to believe that, at this very moment, you are beautiful just the way you are.
It is a huge misconception to think that you will feel good about yourself once you lose weight or get to a certain body type. Many people work their butts off to change their physical appearance and realize that they still don’t feel good about themselves. Loving yourself truly starts from within.
2) Read about God’s Love for you
God created you in His image and His likeness. You are extremely precious in God’s sight. He knows the number of hairs on your head (Luke 12:9). Knowing that you are completely loved by God will help you help you overcome a negative-self image.
Reading the bible and meditating on scriptures will give you a clear understanding of God’s love for you. Psalm 139:13-14 says, “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.”
One of my favorite scriptures is Zephaniah 3:17, which says, “The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” How awesome is that?! God loves you so much that that it actually causes him to sing with joy. Start reading the Bible and memorizing scriptures that show God’s love for you.
3) Speak positive words about yourself
I am truly a believer in the power of words. You can choose your own words to tear yourself down or you can use them to build yourself up. Maya Angelou said, “Some day we’ll be able to measure the power of words. I think they are things. They get on the walls. They get in your wallpaper. They get in your rugs, in your upholstery, and your clothes, and finally in to you.”
You don’t have to wait for anyone to tell you that you are beautiful. Use your own voice to speak wonderful things about yourself. One thing you can say everyday is, “I am beautiful, just the way I am.” If you lack confidence, you can say, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Say these things as often as needed. You will be amazed how these words can change how you feel about yourself.
4) Don’t compare yourself to others
One of the worst things you can do is compare yourself to others. Comparing yourself to others can make you feel like you are not adequate or good enough. You are trying to measure up to others and constantly fall short. The fact is, you are not suppose to be like anyone else.
Why are you trying so hard to fit in when you were born to stand out? You have gifts and talents that are unique to you. Learn to embrace your uniqueness. There is no one who can be a better you than yourself. Instead of wanting to be like others, strive to be the best you.
5) Forgive yourself for past mistakes and failures
You’ve made mistakes. You may have failed at many things in life and now feel like you are incapable of having or doing anything good. I understand how these circumstances can sometimes shatter your confidence and self-esteem.
Failures and mistakes happen, but they do not define who you are. Learn to forgive yourself for mistakes you’ve made. Your mistakes and failures should be used as learning experiences, not reasons to beat yourself up.
Love yourself now
You don’t have to continue to live your life with a negative self-image. Whatever happened in your past does not define who you are. You are valuable. You are worthy. God loves you unconditionally. Be sure to love yourself.
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Just visiting you leaves me encouraged. 🙂
Bless you!
Dawn
Thank you, Dawn. God is good and I am so happy that you were encouraged by this post. God Bless 🙂