Key definition

Self-esteem is the stable inner sense that you have worth and dignity both as a person and as a woman — and that you are capable of growing in holiness (i.e. improving or changing your way of being to become a better person) and responsible action.

It includes:

  • I have value as a person and as a woman.

  • My worth doesn’t rise and fall with mood or praise.

  • I can choose, learn, correct, grow, and let myself be used by God for His purpose.

  • I don’t betray myself, corrupt my values, or abandon my responsibility to please others.

  • I carry myself with seriousness and fulfil my obligations with integrity.

Self-esteem is not:

  • arrogance

  • loud confidence

  • self-obsession

  • thinking you are better than others

  • needing attention

  • never feeling insecure

Self-esteem is not “I’m amazing.”

Self-esteem is:

“I have dignity, I can be better, and I will live responsibly.”

Quick question:

If I’m honest, what is my self-esteem currently built on?

Praise? Appearance? Competence? Being needed? Being seen as good? Being ‘the strong one’?