Grow in Confidence: 31 Bible Verses about Self-Worth to Overcome Insecurity

Does it ever feel like the moment you begin to feel confident about your purpose,  insecurity rears its ugly head and reminds you of the places where you are lacking?

It’s as if insecurity is scanning the paths of our life and as soon as we hit cruise control it shows up with it’s declarations about our identity and past failures. It shows up with lies about who we are and what we are capable of.

Instead of battling these lies with the truths found in many bible verses about self-worth we listen to the lies, because somewhere inside of us. We believe them.

I believe them. I am often stunned by the words I tell myself. The words that tear down my confidence and minimize my value. The culprit is insecurity.

Insecurity is the highest form of mistaken identity. We don’t know whose we are so we are easily swayed by labels that are given to us. We begin comparing ourselves and internalizing failures or rejections and making them apart of the core of who we believe we are.

There are many days when I feel completely incapable of answering this calling that God has given me. I don’t feel adequate enough to speak on insecurity, because I know that I struggle with it so often, I get anxious, and I feel many days that I will never overcome it. I often wonder why God would lead me to write about it, why he would place such a strong passion on my heart to grow through it with other women who may be struggling with it. In those moments I am reminded that he doesn’t call the qualified. He qualifies the called. I am encouraged by scriptures such as 2 Corinthians 12:9 which says:

Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

I’m beyond grateful for His grace and power, which meets me in and loves me through my lack. He qualifies me for his great purposes and allows me to participate in his great plan!

I want to encourage you sweet friends. Life does not have to be a constant battle with insecurity. We don’t have to live in this cycle of believing lies about ourselves, discounting our abilities, and comparing ourselves to others. We can grow beyond this by simply crying out to God. Speaking his word and believing who he says we are!

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What defines self-worth?

According to Webster’s dictionary, self-worth or self-esteem is defined as:

“confidence in one’s own worth or abilities; self-respect”

In other, less controversial words, it’s having a sense of personal value. This is probably one of the most frequently defined thoughts in our society. Many thought leaders and popular culture icons speak about the self-care and self-worth movement. Everyone wants to determine and define what exactly an individual’s worth is, and many of these descriptions while they make you feel good, they lack a substance that is long lasting.

Self-worth that is rooted in things of this world can be easily stripped when the fickleness of this world changes what is important. When what you value about yourself, no longer has value in society, then does your perceived value also lose it’s worth?

We should focus our attention and root our worth in something that is more long-lasting, and that is Christ. When our identity is rooted squarely in the love of the Lord, then we may be shaken, but we will not be moved. We will be sure of who we are and whose we are.

What causes a low self-esteem?

There are many reasons why we may suffer from low self-esteem. This world is hard, and we go through things that in many instances are meant to break us. But God is faithful.

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” Ephesians 6:12

In order for you to battle the lies that often come against us to steal our joy and our ability to walk in confidence, we have to be able to recognize these spiritual confidence killers.

Common Self-Esteem Killers:

Shame – One of the biggest killers of our self-esteem and worth is shame. Shame comes in and tangles your worth up with your sin. Instead of sins being an action, it becomes an identity. When the shame of your sin gets entrapped in your identity, it clouds our judgement and makes us see God only as judge and not as Good father. Anyone living with shame that they have not turned over to God find it nearly impossible to feel confident. Shame is like a dark cloud that overshadows everything. It makes it feel impossible to overcome and causes depression and withdrawal. 

Comparison- “Comparison is the thief of joy”– Theodore Roosevelt. Comparison robs you of confidence because it makes you feel like you have be as good as someone else in a role you were never meant to play. It reduces your self-esteem and makes you feel like you are not enough or don’t have what it takes, based off what you perceive as inadequate or lacking.

Jealousy- Like comparison, jealousy is based on feelings of lack and want. Jealousy makes you focus on and see only what is missing from your already overflowing cup. Coveting what someone else has or the assumptions that come from judging someone through the lens of jealousy ruins confidence. Jealousy tells you that you are lacking something that others have because you are not good enough to have it. It negates all the good things about you, denies the blessings that you have been given.

What does the bible say about low self-worth and insecurity

Insecurity and low self-esteem work together to rob us of our ability to serve God well. These spiritual attacks cause us to focus on who we are without God. It neglects to speak to the truth of what we are capable of with God. The bible tells us often that God is with us. The following scriptures about self-worth will encourage you when you are feeling insecurity rear its ugly head.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9

When you are feeling scared, when insecurity is reminding you of the ways you have failed, or the ways you don’t measure up. This bible verse about self-worth tells a different story. It reminds you of who goes with you. It encourages you that regardless of where you are, the creator of the universe is with you.

‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ Isaiah 41:10

This verse about worth is a testament to the fact that where you lack, God supplies. Our weakness is nothing when matched with the mighty hand of our father. Low self-esteem and insecurity have no footing because we are held and covered by the righteous hand of the God of heaven.

In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And his children will have refuge. Proverbs 14:26

We can shout when reading this bible verses about self-worth because it speaks directly to our confidence. Our confidence is found in the fear of the Lord. When we seek him and press into him, get to know him and truly accept him as our God and father, our confidence in him grows, and this in turn helps us to grow in confidence of ourselves. As children of God, there is nothing that is impossible for us, because we have God on our side.

How do you find self-worth

Growing in confidence that is rooted in God is important because we want to be an example of the goodness of God. We want our god confidence to bring glory to him. That means we learn to walk with our heads high and our witness of God’s goodness even higher. But this world can be harsh and unforgiving. Situations we face can make us feel less than stellar most days!

On those days, knowing what God says about self-esteem can make all the difference in our showing up as our best selves, or showing up as a shell of who God created us to be. Meditating on these bibles verses about worth can help remind you that you are fearfully and wonderfully made on the days when you do not feel so confident.

Grow in Confidence by remembering your Identity is in Christ

One of the best ways to grow in confidence is to study bible verses about your identity in Christ. Reminding yourself of who you are in Christ can easily offset any shame of guilt you feel that may be stifling your self-esteem. The following scriptures about self-worth define your worth based on your relationship as a child of god through Christ.

He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, Titus 3:5

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9

Remind yourself that God created you with purpose

Knowing that life has meaning is one way to grow in confidence and improve your self-esteem. These verses on self-worth will remind you that when God thought of you before you were born he did so with a purpose. You were worth his thoughts, his plans, his purposes. He knew that the world needed a you in it at this very time. Let these scriptures on worth encourage you to press on confidently knowing that God prepared a path for you to walk with him.

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6

I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5 

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Psalm 139:13-15 ESV

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 ESV

Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

Be encouraged because of who God is so praise him

Another way to grow in confidence is to be reminded of who God is. We often easily say that God is the creator of the universe. We know God as our creator, but we seldom sit back and praise him for who he is. With awe and reverent praise, we should speak about his goodness and his personality. This allows us to step outside of ourselves and to really press into who he is. When the focus is off of our limited view and instead on the greatness of our God, our confidence can grow. This is because we are no longer focused on our own problems and instead focusing on how big our God is.

Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, Hebrews 12:28

Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! Psalm 33:8

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” Revelation 4:11

For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe. Deuteronomy 10:17

Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! Psalm 95:6

Awesome is God from his sanctuary; the God of Israel—he is the one who gives power and strength to his people. Blessed be God! Psalm 68:35

“Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders? Exodus 15:11

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Psalm 19:1

Give thanks to God and count your blessings

Lastly in order to find self-worth, you have to grow in gratitude. You have to embrace an attitude of thanksgiving and give thanks to God for his immeasurable blessings. When you focus on all you have and all you have been given, this shift in focus can help you improve your perception of your own value. Meditating on scriptures about your worth through thanksgiving can be a huge help in your understanding of your value.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” 1 Chronicles 16:34

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15

“You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:11

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.” Psalm 28:7

I pray that these scriptures give you a great basis for fighting the battle against insecurity. I pray that as you read these, you are filled with a confidence that can only come from being rooted in the knowledge that you are God’s own special posses

How do you overcome insecurity?

You must accept yourself for who and what you are, but you don’t have to stay the same person. If you don’t know where you stand, you can’t start to become confident and you can’t start to make the changes you want to make to be truly confident in your skin. Love yourself enough to be honest and reclaim the confidence you deserve.

Study the bible – Studying the bible verses about self-worth during your daily quiet time with God will help embed the truths that they represent into your heart. Once the word of God has impacted your heart you can live out the life of peace and rest that he intended for you.

Pray often – When you feel the sting of insecurity rearing its ugly head and the spiral of negative thoughts seem to be screaming at the edges of your self-conscious, pray to God, ask the holy spirit for help, pray the scriptures about self-worth back to God. Allow the power that comes from connecting with him to fill you and fight the feelings of low confidence.

Address the areas that are an issue for you – You can’t change what you won’t address. Be honest with yourself and identify the root of the lack of confidence. Prayer works best when it is direct and speaks to the problems you are facing. Consider the killers of confidence spoken about earlier and pray against those in the spirit.  

Accept the areas that are an issue for you – After you address the issues and admit they are there, it’s equally important to accept them as a truth in your life at the moment. This doesn’t mean you intend to internalize and make them a permanent part of your life.

This is particularly important because there are situations and insecurities that can be aided with a Christian counselor or pastor. Speaking with someone does not lesson the power that God has, but it does acknowledge the fact that God blesses each of us with a gift. And some people have a gift to counsel. Accepting issues and being open to speaking with someone about them creates the space you need to make changes and move through the issues.

Rebuild your confidence – Once you have come to terms with the issue, made necessary changes and done the work, so-to-speak, it’s time to begin to rebuild your confidence. Some simple practical tips for rebuilding confidence are:

• Forgive yourself
• Voice your opinion
• Set Healthy Boundaries
• Teach someone something
• Create an affirmation list
• Be okay with people not liking you
• Get a role model and a mentor

Growing in confidence can be difficult to do, especially when insecurity makes you feel as if you are not enough. Remember that the word of God is powerful and when you use it as Rhema, specific weapons for the battles you face everyday it can beat the attacks of low self esteem and insecurity and help you grow in confidence.

Which of these bible verses about self-worth is you favorite! I would love to know which you loved in the comments below.

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