14 Steps to Building Self-Esteem with the Word of God

Self-esteem is what you think, feel, and believe about yourself. It influences everything in your life, including the way you treat yourself, the way you allow others to treat you, and even your motivation.

Building self-esteem with the Word of God

Avoid comparing yourself to others.

Comparing yourself to others will only make you feel worse about yourself. Focus on your uniqueness, and what makes you who you are. Your identity is much more than your social standing, your achievements, what others think or say about you, or what you see when you look in the mirror. If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, you can be secure in your identity in Him.

Know who God says you are.

You are an original, created in God’s image, and set apart for a purpose that only you can fulfill (Genesis 1:27; Ephesians 2:10). You are unique and wonderfully made, and there is no one else exactly like you (Psalm 139:13-14). God loves you so much that He sent His one and only Son to die for you on the cross so you could be forgiven of your sins and receive the gift of eternal life (John 3:16).

Be kind to yourself.

Avoid belittling yourself, beating yourself up, and/or engaging in negative self-talk.

Focus on your positive qualities.

Recognize the things you are good at. Make a list of your strengths and talents and read it often to remind yourself of them.

Challenge negative beliefs you have about yourself.

Counter negative beliefs you have about yourself with truths from God’s Word.

Keep a gratitude journal.

Focus on your blessings rather than your disappointments, and write down a daily list of at least five things that you are thankful for.

Surround yourself with positive people.

Spend time with positive, supportive, uplifting people.

Celebrate your wins.

Acknowledge your accomplishments, big or small, and the little things you do well.

Think less of yourself and more of others.

Make it a goal to be nice to others, to smile at them, to encourage them, and to find ways you can make a difference in their lives.

Volunteer.

Become a volunteer. Helping others can provide a big boost to your self-esteem.

Don’t be a people pleaser.

Don’t compromise your values or neglect to take care of your own needs in order to try and conform or please others. You don’t have to say yes to things you don’t want to do or feel guilty about saying no. Respect other’s people’s opinions and needs and expect them to do the same for you.

Set boundaries.

Define your principles, values, and ideals, and set boundaries in your personal and professional life that align with them. Boundaries are a way of preventing others from controlling you or take advantage of you.

Practice self-care.

Self-care is important for your physical and mental wellbeing. Make sure you are getting enough sleep, eating a nutritious diet, taking care of your appearance, staying physically active, and doing things that bring you joy.

Be patient with yourself.

Progress doesn’t happen overnight. Don’t get discouraged if there are some setbacks along the way.

If you need additional support beyond these tips for building self-esteem, please give us a call at Grapevine Christian Counseling in Texas today. We would be happy to answer your questions and/or set up an appointment for you to meet with one of the faith-based counselors in Grapevine, Texas. Take a look at our online counselor directory to find the best therapist for your needs.