Being rejected in marriage, growing up with a sibling who always had everyone’s attention, not being the most coordinated kid on the basketball team… These things really led to me feeling like I had no value. If I had no value to people who were here and I was trying my hardest to help or do something for, how could I possibly have value to God? This has been a real struggle for me.
In the past I have had times when I ultimately did not trust simply because I did not feel I was valuable or that God would care. Yet He sent His son to die in my place so I could have eternal life. (John 3:16) That alone is proof I have value.
However, in addition to this statement of extreme love, here are a couple others made by Jesus Himself about our value to the Father and not having worry or fear:
- “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble”. Matthew 6:25-34
- Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31
- “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Luke 12:7
- Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith? And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:22-34
Are you reading this thinking, “This is all a bunch of nice platitudes, nice words, words I’ve memorized in Sabbath School. What difference does this make to me?”
Do you believe in God? Do you believe He gave us messages in the Bible? Do you believe the above texts are true? Yes? Then start acting like you believe. Do not allow yourself to doubt God’s love for you.
For me I have discovered that almost all of my anxiety, worry, and fear are a direct result of the false belief that God does not love me. As I have chosen to take God at His word and believe, I have found most of my worries melt away. When fear starts to creep in, I am more easily able to remind myself now that I do have value and God has promised to take care of me.
Next week will begin to look at actions we can take to combat worry. (This is the stuff I like!)
