If you want to be a 10 but your self-esteem is a 5, you will never achieve at the level of a 10. You will achieve a 5 or lower. Why? Because you cannot surpass the image you have of yourself. Low self-esteem puts a cap on your potential. So where does our low self-esteem come from? Other people. When the most important people in your life repeatedly tell you that they expect you to go nowhere and achieve nothing of worth, that’s what you eventually start believing about yourself. And it’s like downloading a virus into your computer; it destroys your God-given potential. What’s the answer? Instead of believing what others say about you, find out what God says about you. After all, who knows the value and potential of a product better than the manufacturer who made it? When God called Jeremiah to be a prophet to the nation of Israel, Jeremiah said, ‘I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!’ (Jeremiah 1:6 NLT). Perhaps you can identify with Jeremiah: ‘I’m too young, or too old, or not the right nationality, or not educated enough, or not rich enough.’ Note what God said to Jeremiah next: ‘Don’t say, “I’m too young,” for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you’ (vv. 7-8 NLT). Changing your self-image begins with changing your self-talk. In order to see yourself as valuable, begin to see yourself as God sees you.
