Judges 6:15 “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.”
The voice of low self-esteem, insecurity and lack of confidence might sound like meekness. Accepting defeat and inferiority is only false humility.
Gideon was raised in a time of catastrophic poverty and political instability. He saw the enemies oppress, ruin and ravage his nation. It left them impoverished, broken and depressed. The angel of the Lord visits this wimp and weakling with words of encouragement and hope. When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior” (vs 12). Before revealing Gideon’s calling and mission, the angel of the Lord first reinstalled his confidence. He gave Gideon the assurance that the Lord of Hosts is with him and called the “cowering coward” a “mighty warrior”. The Lord literally asked him “who said that you are broke, defeated and poor”?
Circumstances talk to us; finances threaten us and the economy beats us down with derogatory and disparaging words. The voices/comments of the mean abusers continue talking to us for many years after an untoward incident. Our body talks to us through fatigue, symptoms and pain. When negativity screams defeat, dread and death ask the question that the Lord asked Gideon – “Who said so”? Renew your mind with God’s perspectives and God’s Word. Replace the external noise and internal voice with God’s promises.
Cure for Insecurity and low self-esteem:
- Why: Feelings of worthlessness, timidity or fear of failure must be questioned. Why do I feel this way—what’s the cause? Normally these feelings will be directly linked to an isolated incident or insult. The pain of offense will grow into self-inflicting insecurity. Your worth is not determined by people but by the One who redeemed your soul.
- Word: Demeaning voices must be replaced with the ‘Word of God’. Declare God’s promises over yourself. God has called us precious, chosen, His beloved; not rejected, unwanted or unworthy.
- Win: We are not weakling but winners through Christ Jesus. Speaking victory renews the defeated mentality into a winning mindset.
Don’t be fooled by the voices and noises, retort with the Word.
Prayer: Father God, teach me to talk back to the slanderous voices that destroy my self-esteem and build my confidence in you. Amen.
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