We need to feel we have value
Where do you find your sense of worth? If you were a boastful person, what would you boast about?
The LORD says, “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me” (Jeremiah 9:23–24).
If a person boasts, it is because one of the strongest motivations in life is to find significance, importance, worth. We need to feel we have value. It is crushing to think that we are worthless or inferior to others. Whether we boast or not, we all pursue significance.
How we pursue self-worth
We need to be aware of how we try to get worth and how that affects our motivations.
Unfortunately, we may choose insignificant ways to get significance. We seek worth through success, or money, beauty, a chiseled body, knowledge, skill, achievements, power, position, love, fame.
None of these are wrong in themselves, but they do not add to our worth.
And they can be hard to get.
If we fall short of these, our ego will find something to take pride in, even trivial things. Things like whether our pants or shoes are in style. The success of our sports team. The brands we use and how much we paid. The speed and capacity of our technology. Our race, haircut, or knowledge of trivia. The ability to cook a particular dish. A collection of bottles.
We are so voracious for significance that we can take pride in literally anything.
How God gives self-worth
Jeremiah 9:23–24, quoted above, says that there is only one legitimate, effective way to find significance: by knowing God.
That is because God alone is intrinsically worthy, significant, and glorious, and he alone gives worth to his creation. When he gives worth, that worth is enormous.
When he speaks a word of approval or honor, then sooner or later every living human and angel will recognize that worth and likewise give honor. If God does not approve, if he dishonors someone or something, then it will pass away and be forgotten.
So boasting is okay under just one condition: if we are humbly boasting in our relationship with God, fully aware that God is the one who gets all the credit.
But in a sense, we proudly boast in the glory of God. We don’t feel second-rate because we find our worth in him or that he is second best to all the cool things to boast about in this world.
If you know God, if you know how to walk with him as he requires, if you know the wisdom he reveals in his Word, if you know Jesus Christ as Savior, if you know his character and nature, if you love him and delight in your personal relationship with him through prayer throughout each day, you don’t need to prop up your ego with the passing trophies of this world. You have the greatest significance possible.
Signs that you pursue your self-worth in God
What indicates that you find your significance in knowing God? Three things come quickly to mind:
- How much you read the Bible
- Whether you connect with God in prayer throughout each day
- Struggling with feelings of inferiority or envy if you compare yourself to others
Would you agree? What would you add to this list? Contribute to the Knowing God community by sharing a comment below.