READ: GENESIS 1:27; PSALM 139:13-18; ROMANS 5:8; 8:38-39

Self-worth is something we all struggle with. Photoshopped and filtered images are plastered on every magazine, in every store, and all over social media. All the while, our own accomplishments are advertised, and our shortcomings are hidden. The world tells us that looking good and being successful are the two most important things to strive for—and that if we aren’t achieving greatness by our looks or performance, our value as a human significantly decreases. Or does it?

While the world uses these things to define value, God says that success and appearances have nothing to do with the measure of our worth. Humans have value because we have each been created in the image of God. Even though the first humans rejected God, and we have all rejected Him since then, He still loves us. He loves us so much that, when we were separated from Him and broken because of our sins, He reached out to us. Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice before you and I were even born. He died on the cross for our sins, and He rose from the grave to give us new life. Now, God invites us to join His family through faith in Jesus. There is nothing we need to earn.

Each child of God has a unique purpose in God’s kingdom, and this is not based on whether their accomplishments or beauty outweigh their weaknesses. God’s power is made perfect in weakness anyway—weakness doesn’t lessen our worth as image-bearers of God or as children of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

We are each of magnificent value simply for being created in the image of God. And, as Christians, our identity is anchored in being known and loved by God. Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can rest in the truth that there is nothing we can do that would seperate us from the love of God and nothing we can do to lose or lessen our worth. We are forever—eternally—valued by God. Therefore, we also ought to value ourselves. You are called to treat yourself as the daughter or son of the great King that you are, and treat others the same way. • Lauren N. Trittin

• When was the last time you felt truly valued by others? What did they do to make you feel your worth?

• How does what Jesus did—when He died on the cross and rose from the grave—make it so that we don’t have to perform to be loved by God? (For more about this good news, see our "Know Jesus" page.)

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1 (NIV)