Confidence vs. Self-Esteem
Such confidence we have through Christ before God.
II Corinthians 3:4 NIV
Life sure is tough, isn’t it? The things we go through shape everything about us—how we think, how we act, and how we see ourselves. We’ve experienced crazy things as kids, walked through bullying and breakups as teens, and are bombarded with mountains of pressure as adults. And to think, this world used to be perfect—but alas, sin crept in and ruined that. Honestly, if I ever run into Eve in heaven, I might or might not give her the stink eye and say, “Hey! Thanks a lot, Grandma!” But then I’d feel bad, because it’s true—she is our grandma, guys. So, no, let’s not do that.
Let’s address some basic differences between self-esteem and self-confidence:
Self-esteem is how you view your value and worth.
Self-confidence is the attitude you have toward your abilities and skills.
Someone with high self-esteem knows how valuable and worthy they are as a child of the Most High God, but someone with low self-esteem questions if they’re worthy or valuable at all. On the flip side, someone with high self-confidence knows they can do all things through Christ who gives them strength, but someone with low self-confidence doesn’t believe their abilities and skills are “that great” at all.
Before we can even tackle the notion of finding confidence, we must address this self-esteem thing first.
If you have ever questioned your value or your worth, or if you’ve ever been told you’re invaluable and worthless, let me tell you the truth:
You were knit together with love and intention in your mother’s womb.
Someone paid a horrific price for you, just so you didn’t have to.
You’ve got a purpose that no one, and I mean no one else, can fulfill.
You have been accepted, forgiven, and adored in the ways you’ve always longed for.
According to Him, you are so valuable that you are worth dying for. Get ready to start seeing yourself the way Jesus sees you—it’ll give you confidence that changes everything!
God, yes, I am valuable and worth it in Your sight—but help me see that every day of my life. Amen.
This month, we will feature excerpts fromHannah Crews's new book, A Confidence That Changes Everything: Devotions to Shine Bright in This Topsy-Turvy Life!
