What am I worth?

Image Credit: DS Stories on Pexels

Jason Spender, 14th Aug 2023
Tags: Life Blog Jesus Relationships Self-worth

I met up recently with a friend for a catch-up. On my way, I walked past two girls and thought nothing of it, until one of them shouted to me, “are you single?”

Surprised, I quickly glanced back with a smile and said, “yes”. To this she replied, “my friend likes you, and you can take her out for £30.” Not knowing how to respond to that, my feet began to pick up speed to get around the corner as fast as I could!

Many things ran through my mind after this encounter. Yet one question that struck me was, how much am I worth?

Did she really think her friend was only worth £30?

I have no idea if that girl was joking – I really hope she was! But what if she wasn’t? Did she really think her friend was only worth £30? 

This raised a much deeper question within me: how do we value ourselves and where does our value come from?

I’ve found in my own life that it is so easy to seek value from things I do.

I’ve found in my own life that it is so easy to seek value from things I do. For example, when you are good at something, such as a sport or a school/college subject, it feels good to do well and then receive praise from people.

Receiving praise is not wrong, far from it! Yet, the problem comes when we find our value in the applause of other people, because when we do, we will always be seeking approval from them. 

When things are going well, you feel on top of the world, but when things aren’t, you feel stuck in the ditch with no-one caring about you. You feel undervalued and rejected.

Finding where my value and sense of self-worth comes from has been a journey for me.

Finding where my value and sense of self-worth comes from has been a journey for me.

Like anyone, I love to receive praise from other people and have them tell me that I did well. I’ve come to realise, however, how unstable that source of value is. The good vibes only seem to last for a short time, then you find yourself seeking more.

I knew there had to be a better way of finding value and being confident in who I was made to be.

The only reliable source I have found to give me true value is Jesus.

For me, the only reliable source I have found to give me true value, and that has helped me understand how precious I am, is my faith in Jesus. Rather than letting anyone or anything else tell me how valuable I am, or who I should be, I let the Bible do that.

The Bible tells me that I am valued, accepted and loved. I can’t do anything to earn that approval or make God love me anymore or any less. And this amazing truth is the same for you. You are valued, accepted and loved. You don’t need to seek it from anywhere or anyone else.

Don’t sell yourself short! You are worth infinitely more than any price tag anyone could place on you. 

For some simple practical steps to take on discovering how valuable you are, see: Self Esteem - Youth for Christ