Do you look in the mirror and feel bad about what you see? Are you constantly feeling like you’re being left behind in your career? Do you feel like you’re spinning your wheels on your diet or your job or your love life? Do you feel like others are way ahead of you? You’re not alone. What do you do when you feel like you don’t measure up?
What would Jesus do?
Jesus was constantly being measured. The Pharisees questioned why he didn’t follow the cleanliness laws of the Mosaic code (Matt. 9:11). The Sadducees questioned why he believed in life after death and what he thought about the sacrificial system (Matt. 22:23). The teachers of the Law questioned his understanding of Torah (Matt. 22:36). The Herodian questioned his political position (Mark 12:15). His own disciples questioned when and how he was going to usher in his kingdom (Matt. 24:3). Even his own family questioned his sanity (Mark 3:21)! Jesus understood what it felt like to be constantly measured.
We live in a culture that loves to measure. Social Media has us more connected to friends and acquaintances than ever before — but, it also has us more depressed than ever before. Women perfectly photoshopped and men who seem to spend more time at the gym than in the Word – fill our social media feeds, sending the not-so-subtle message that we don’t measure up.
Five things to do when you feel like you don’t measure up?
1. Remember who your authority is.
I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me.” — John 14:31
Jesus understood that the sole authority in his life was his heavenly Father. He spent more time with him than anyone else. The heavenly Father said of Jesus – “This is my beloved Son, in him, I am well pleased” (Matt. 3:17). That’s all Jesus needed to hear.
2. God created you in HIS image – just the way you are.
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” — Gen. 1:27
Although the image of God has been marred and warped by sin, Jesus is in the process of restoring the image of God in us.
3. You have value because of who HE is, not because of who you are.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” — Psalm 139:14
Your value is not in how pretty or handsome, how smart or witty you are – your value always comes from the one who lives inside of you. “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 Jn. 4:4).
4. Consider the source.
Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse,” — Prov. 2:12
Jesus didn’t pay attention to what the Pharisees, Sadducees, Scribes, Herodians, or Chief Priests said because he understood that they were not operating in the spiritual realm. They were blind guides and white-washed tombs (Matt. 23:27), so why should he listen to them?
Consider the source. Is it a spiritual source? Is the image you are looking at to get your sense of self-worth an image the glorifies God produced by a spiritual guide? Or is it just more marketing noise trying to make you buy something by making you feel less than what you are? Consider the source.
5. Find your value in what HE says about you.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” — 1 Peter 2:9
God pours his love into you through the power of his Holy Spirit and his Word. Go to those two sources daily to draw strength for living.
