Upon hearing my words, my son said, “Mom, really? Think about what you just said. You’re talking negatively to yourself.”
“Good point,” I responded. “I need to quit that!”
Do you find yourself ever talking to yourself negatively? Like the moment at my son’s, I hear myself scolding, reprimanding and verbally telling myself all sorts of negative things. Ultimately, the more I hear it, the more I believe it!
Self-worth is such valuable asset to anyone. There’s a poem that says, “Children learn what they live.” It's true. When I was growing up, my parents rarely encouraged me (or my siblings). At this point in my life, I don’t fault them for it. I don’t know that they ever thought of it; it just wasn’t something they did. Perhaps they thought I knew my worth, and never felt the need to say it aloud. I wonder however, about the effect it had on my view of my personal value.
I was in prayer the other night and in front of my eyes I saw this amazing, huge, shimmering diamond. I seemed to understand my value to God is greater than any diamond found in the world. I don’t recall any “specific words” spoken by God, but the realization at that moment was profound!
Like the diamond, God created me to be a unique human being. There are others, I’m certain, much like me. They are wife, mother, grandmother, short, with graying hair, and wide smile, who writes, does domestic duties, gardens, reads and sews. Yet regardless of the similarities, I’m still unique. God ordained it this way. We each have specific qualities, temperaments, desires and qualifications for specific people, places and duties designed by an all-knowing God.
Our culture has become such that we feel we need to be above average to be accepted, whether at work, in sports, academically and perhaps even spiritually. We measure ourselves against everyone around us and sometimes even imaginary competitors like actors or actresses in a television drama. It’s hard to see our personal worth when our peers (or those we admire) seem flawless in nearly every capacity.
Diamonds come from different areas, in different colors; and even uncut ones, in different shapes. They aren’t meant to be all the same. Their unique qualities are what makes them so very valuable and special. And their beginning isn’t the same as the final product. They were formed deep in the earth, beneath extreme heat and pressure, and even after being “found” are cut and polished to make them the radiant jewels they become.
We all undergo pressure and polishing. It’s part of life’s lessons. God uses our circumstances and pressure to polish the “gem” he has created. We are diamonds, created within the heart of God. Our value is greater than any mineral found in the earth.
As we ponder this truth, make a deliberate effort to not self-negative talk this next week. Allow God to reveal to you the price he gave to make that clearly evident, through the life of His Son, Jesus Christ.
