So, I had an entirely different topic planned for today’s post but as I was doing my research and preparing my points, I found myself, well, stuck on this one completely unrelated thought.
In all our doing, in all our building, creating, learning and fixing… People still find themselves feeling un-fulfilled, perhaps even worthless…
So, I’m taking the hint and ditching my previous post plans for another day. Today, I want you to know you are not worthless.
Let’s Talk About Worth
I’m going to be real honest with you here, I’ve even found myself feeling like this at times. What’s ironic are the times I found myself feeling like this the most are the times where it would seem I’ve been really productive or creative. It’s like we reach a mountain top only to realize there is another one a tad bit taller with a slightly better view and we become discouraged with what we have just accomplished as not being that much of an accomplishment anyway.
For others, it might be they feel like they never even make it to a mountain top. It’s this feeling of a never ending climb with the hope of getting somewhere but somewhere is always just down the road from yesterday and a few more steps from today.
What’s even crazier is as I type this out I see how insane this thinking is. But, insane or not I find the footsteps of this method of thinking sneaking around in the shadows silently dictating the lives of those who choose to listen to its whispers.
You are not worthless.
You were created in purpose.
Created In Purpose
This is not the same as saying you were created “for” a purpose (which I believe we all are but it doesn’t look like what you might think.) You were created in a thoughtful, intentional purpose. You were created to be loved and to show love. Everything else is just noise.
Now I know all you Christians are waiting for me to dish out the Jeremiah 29:11 verse and just tell you that God has a plan for you and that plan is to prosper you and to give you a hope and a future.
But that’s not what I’m going to do. That’s not the solution to this feeling you have of worthlessness.
Don’t get me wrong. I believe deeply in the power of meditating on scripture and choosing to believe what it says even when all the circumstances around us paint a different picture. I believe in faith, hope, and love. But I also believe that for belief to be real it has to be accompanied by action and action means something has to change.
Belief Doesn’t Paint Walls
I can believe all day long that the gray wall, surrounding me as I type this post, will one day change to blue. But, unless I get up, go to the store, buy the paint, enlist the help of a few friends and paint that wall… It’s going to stay gray no matter how much I “believe” otherwise.
I can believe for help. I can believe that the paint will be there if I go get it. I can believe that when I put the paint on the wall it will change the color. But, unless I match my belief to my action, all that will remain is hopeful intent. And hopeful intent without action has never painted a wall.
But there is a flip side to this.
Mirror Of Life
People feel worthless because when they stare into the mirror of their life they don’t see their actions as good enough to get to where they want to be. They feel like they failed when they tried hard or that they lost control of a situation and it ballooned into a catastrophe. They feel like what they do is not good enough and through those eyes begin to believe the lie that their belief is truth and the truth didn’t set them free, it imprisoned them more and threw away the key.
They then begin to view, even the smallest of actions, through this shadow of failure and can no longer see the good their life brings to the world. Their belief in the shadow of failure paints every action as one that could have been better and the way they view themselves, on the inside, becomes more shadow filled day by day.
It doesn’t have to be this way. If you feel worthless, here are 3 things to remember:
1. Recognize you are not seeing yourself clearly. This one is important. When something is broken the only way to fix it is to identify what is broken and realize, well it’s broken. I know that sound redundant but I felt like I should mention it anyway. If you are feeling worthless, you can’t trust how you feel about yourself. This will be hard. Because our culture is very reliant on how we feel. But, realize the way you are feeling is broken and, in its current state, can not show you an accurate picture of all the good your life brings. Which leads to my next point.
2. Surround yourself with people to help you.You can’t do this alone. Now, I’m also not saying you need to share these deep rooted feelings with anyone who says they’re a Christian or even a friend. Get a few close friends or advisors to help you, people you trust. Share your struggle with them and let them be Jesus to you for a bit. Let them speak hope into you and be there for you when you struggle. But, also be ready to do your part. You have to choose to believe that the hope they are sharing with you is true. Even if you can’t understand it at the moment.
3. Be Jesus to someone else.I know this one might sound a bit odd, especially for someone who is struggling to find hope themselves. But, I believe to the core of me you can not find true fullness of life unless you are willing to serve others. You do not have to be perfect to be Jesus to others. For that matter, you don’t even have to feel like you have all your junk together. You just have to be willing to step out and help someone. It’s the broken helping the broken and I believe it’s a beautiful painting to our Father. It is Christ showing Himself through our brokenness and taking what is weak and through the strength of His love making it strong. So, go volunteer. Stuff some bags for hungry kids. Serve food at the local homeless shelter. Send a letter to someone just to encourage them. It doesn’t have to be big but it does need to be something.You matter and what makes you so unique and special is not what you can do but who you are. Be those things. Be kindness, love, hope and mercy. Be forgiveness and grace. Be these things and you will not only find your worth but you will help others find theirs.
3.5 Don’t give up.This most likely will not be a super easy thing. Changing the way you think about yourself and rediscovering your worth will take time but IT WILL happen, as long as you keep stepping. You are worth not giving up on yourself.
You have not only skills and talents to offer the world but more importantly laughter, story, comfort, encouragement, hope and faith to give. You are a complex creation made with purposeful intent. You are on this earth not just for a purpose but to live “in” purpose each day. To discover purpose in all the small things that make up life. You are meant to laugh with others and even at times cry when they are broken. You are meant to give and serve. You are a vessel intended to carry hope. You just have to keep stepping.
So, don’t give up. You matter and what makes you so unique and special is not what you can do but who you are. Be those things. Be kindness, love, hope and mercy. Be forgiveness and grace. Be these things and you will not only find your worth but you will help others find theirs.
Final Thoughts
Today’s post has gone much longer than I typically do but I can’t help but feel like this is for someone out there reading it now. To you I’d say, don’t give up. Your worth is not in what you have accomplished, failed at or even succeeded at. Your worth is in who you are and who God created you to be. You just have to put some feet to finding it and be content in finding the beauty in the small things that seem insignificant. Don’t let the shadow whispers rob you of your ability to see the beauty in the small things. Be encouraged and encourage others. Your worth was shown at the foot of the cross and you will find it in the small act of kindness done with great love you give to others.
Hope is not just around the corner, it’s right here with you where you are, in the situation you are in.
You are loved.
Now, go show that love to others.
-b
