High Self Esteem vs High Christ Esteem

And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:24-26

So many modern Christians walk around thinking they need to show forth high self esteem, self worth, positive self image... self, self, self. This is far from what God's word is teaching.

If My people who are called by My name humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

You have to pull all your strength together and focus on God's word and His promises. You know...  low self esteem is not as bad as you may think in regards to Christian living. High self esteem is far worse, since a born‑again believer should esteem Christ as the highest. Really, there is not such a thing as self esteem, be it low or high, in the Scripture. This self esteem concept comes from the "masters" of secular psychology. I had to throw a lot into the garbage of some of my studies which was against God's word and of that what others thought was correct.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you. 1 Peter 5:6

The so to speak low self esteem people are the ones who may learn fast to make Christ #1 and lean more on Him in general. Your self worth is in Christ, since God looks only for Christ in believers' life. Looking at it as I describe above may help you see things differently, as God's sees it.

I have experienced that most of born‑again believers have gone through hard times, as I have, otherwise they may not have sought after God. One may compare his life of 'lows" with the life of Job... but there is far more to Job's life than the pains and humiliation he suffered. Have a further look at his end... and at his faith in God. Job got far more back than he ever lost. He kept God high, while he himself stayed low. Amen!

This is all what matters to the Father. He wants us to be spiritual oriented and 

esteeming Him high, which means looking up to Him as our High esteemed Leader and we seeing ourselves as being a "zero" in our own strength. This will bring the believer in a position of total dependence upon Him.

This then is the correct relationship with God the Father, His Son and the Holy Spirit, so you may be useful in His kingdom and for His glory.

Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.  Matthew 23:12

Life does not improve for many Christians who are not learning from their situation, their pain, their trouble  etc. God provides even some of our situations so we will learn to go His way, depending totally on Him and live daily for Him. If we are able to learn God's will step by step, life becomes far more bearable and pleasant/joyful in the Lord, even through calamities.

Don't think that I am spared from hardship, just because I have NOT been spared I have grown stronger and have been able to counsel people with the most unusual and difficult troubles. I felt at times being dragged through the mud or worse... just learning how to deal with specific situations and issues.

Many years ago I was confronted by an ex‑prisoner who had served 7‑8 years for murder, who forced himself into our home when I was alone with our 3 children who were still in bed. I was 8 months pregnant of the 4th child. How did I handle this? I had no choice than to rely on God completely. If not, I would have been  murdered.

Why, I wondered, do I have to go through this. But God gave me wisdom and I spoke in the authority of the Lord, telling him that if he would just touch me... God will touch him. And you know, it took nearly my breath away thinking that this man could have dropped dead at my feet, had he touched me. I had become more concerned about his life than mine. See, there goes your self‑esteem right down the drain. It wouldn't have helped me anyway.

What saved my life was that I esteemed my God higher, because I was nothing and I could not even defend myself being in the last term of pregnancy.

Several very trying times have filled my past Christian life. At particular times I was very close to death by hands of mankind and claws of satan himself.

Last year I was diagnosed of 2 types of cancer of which one was a very rare malignant cancer, as some of you know. I overcame in the name of the Lord, not through high self‑esteem.

If you cannot bare having low self esteem, or low self worth, go to the cross and see how LOW our Saviour became, hanging on the nails which kept His body up. Jesus, the Christ hung there as a criminal for you and me... and you think you should have some high self‑esteem? Throw it in the garbage and rise up in the power of the Holy Spirit instead.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."  Matthew 5:3.

Jesus was not talking here about people who have a low IQ, or who are not all with it, or poor spirited. Jesus refers to those who have emptied themselves of exercising personal self‑will, and personal preconceived opinions. It means putting aside your train of thought, your views, your prejudice and anything else standing in the way of serving God. 

Jesus Himself said:

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." Matthew 11:29.

Whatever will happen to you use Job, the 3 Hebrew children, Daniel, Peter and Paul  as your example of humility, and you will come through victorious.

Build up your faith... even as small as a mustard seed and you will move "mountains". Live completely for Him or don't live for Him at all. Walk in obedience of God's word in water baptism (Matthew 28:19) and the infilling of the Holy Spirit, Who is your strength throughout your walk with the Lord.

DON'T let your circumstances take over. Life's experiences will make you to master your circumstances as you walk in humility and in the strength of the Lord.

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;  Ephesians 4:2

Praise the name of the Lord!

Be blessed in the Lord.

Minister Dr. Trudy Veerman