Magazine 3

SELF- ESTEEM
Esteem relates value because if you have low self-esteem
you'll feel like you have no value and vice versa.
Unfortunately, not everyone gets this realization so quickly
and often struggle with caring what others think right into
adulthood.
Our value should not be based on what society
says however, we often try to attain these standards based
on television and music. When we don't attain the values
that society sets in place, there's a feeling of inadequacy
causing us to struggle with our self-esteem.
Rejection plays both a positive and negative role
depending on the individual. It allows us the opportunity to
spend time trying to understand our identity & self-worth,
based on what others say and how we perceive ourselves.
This process can make or break our self-esteem. Race is a
factor that affects self-esteem because, as a black person
there's a push to accomplish/attain everything that society
says is important to compensate for ethnicity. If that
doesn't happen then there's a feeling of being inferior
based on how others treat you.
Most youth admit to having something that they would like
to change about themselves. However, some individuals
say that they don't struggle with confidence/appreciating
themselves because they've learnt to not care what others
think.
The values of society changes like seasons and following
after them will leave us confused. Therefore, we need to
find our own identity, self-esteem & value in Christ.
Cleaving to the word of God adds value to us and helps
shape us into the individuals that we were created to be.
It often starts in elementary school where you
are teased for little things (like you're too short, head too
big, etc.) and it continues through till high school. We often
have a wakeup call during that time and realize that what
others say doesn't matter. It's in the rejection/fault finding
of others that helps with the process of not caring what
others think.
Those closest to us are often the biggest culprits for
pointing out our flaws consistently. In doing so it chips
away at our self-esteem, but it's up to everyone to look to
the word of God to rebuild us. God fashioned us in his
likeness which is perfection and the only thing keeping us
from that perfected state is sin. We need to utilize the
word to remind ourselves that only God's opinion of us
matters.
Remember, people that point out the 'flaws' of others only
do so because of what that feel they lack as individuals.
Don't put more emphasis on physical attributes but rather
look to develop the internal characteristics through the
word which will in turn boost your self-esteem.
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