You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.  Ephesians 4:22-24

There’s no way you’ll discover who you are until you understand the authority of God. So many people have a whacked out view of themselves because they look horizontally for their meaning.  In other words, they are looking to other people for their sense of worth. Their self-esteem is based solely on the biased eyes of others rather than the perfect lens of God. And they spend their time trying to please and appease others while neglecting their Creator.  But a great self-esteem is developed by seeing yourself vertically. When I get under God’s authority, I can see clearly that I’m made in the image of God, that I’m not junk and that I’m one of a kind. No one has my skill set, my laugh, my personality, my walk, my talk. I see myself the way God sees me; nothing more, nothing less. And the same is true with you.  Don’t be deceived into believing that you’re somehow not capable of being all that God wants you to be. He has given you His righteousness, His holiness, His uniqueness—and no one can take that away from you. When you look up to Jesus, you will find a powerful alignment that elevates your worth to where it belongs. And you’ll just be amazed at how everything else in life falls into place.

Dear Lord, It’s so easy to fall into the trap of comparing myself to others. But when I do that, I know I’m going against Your authority and overlooking the fact that I am a unique creation fashioned with care by Your hand. Please help me to have a new attitude as I seek to find my worth only in You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.