Day 4 – Teen Devotion: Forget About Self-Esteem

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Self-esteem is one of the most corrupted teachings in our culture. Though you should love yourself as a unique individual made in God’s image, to ask someone who does not know the Lord or has a weak relationship with God to esteem—think highly—themselves is a recipe for disaster. I’m going to address this confusing cultural message in this devotion.

Read Rick’s 31-Day Devotions

• 31-Day Marriage Devotion
• 31-Day Parenting Devotion
• 31-Day Teen Devotion

Self-esteem is esteeming you more than others. Though you should never hate yourself, you must think humbly and wisely about how and why to love yourself. As you do this, you want to make sure that your primary focus is in line with the two great commandments (Matthew 22:36-40). The Bible teaches the wisdom in turning your thoughts from yourself while counting others as more significant.

Biblical success has an others-centered quality to it. Do not fall into the self-esteem trap. Focus on serving God and accomplishing things for the benefit of those around you. Our temptation will always be self-focus (Philippians 2:3-4), and as unfavorable circumstances mount, the easiest thing to do is to turn inward. Don’t do that.

Perhaps you have not been led well, which tempts you to turn inward. That was my story, as my parents were weak leaders. They abused and abandoned me. I was the proverbial dog that was thrown into the pond and told to sink or swim. I learned how to swim, which was a self-reliant solution that kept me self-focused.

I was twenty-five years old before I began to learn how my best life was in someone else, not myself. That was the day I submitted my life to Christ. I quit complaining about my unpleasant circumstances and accepted my responsibility to change. The Lord saved me, and that has made all the difference.

If you want to be somebody, give your life to Christ. Let Him do for you what you cannot do for yourself. Rather than expecting others to make you feel better about yourself, find your “feel good” in Jesus. Serving God and others is the antidote to feeling better about yourself. The more you try to satisfy yourself through any other means, the deeper in despair you will go.

Time to Reflect

1. How has the “self-esteem worldview” affected you?
2. How do you think finding your identity in Christ will change what you need and what you believe about yourself?

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Rick Thomas

Rick launched the Life Over Coffee global training network in 2008 to bring hope and help for you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. His primary responsibilities are resource creation and leadership development, which he does through speaking, writing, podcasting, and educating.

In 1990 he earned a BA in Theology and, in 1991, a BS in Education. In 1993, he received his ordination into Christian ministry, and in 2000 he graduated with an MA in Counseling from The Master’s University. In 2006 he was recognized as a Fellow of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC).