Wrestling the Inferior Interior

Dianne Barker teaches with passion about marriage, parenting, relationships and abundant living; but it was her thoughts about feelings of inferiority that made me think she should share an UPGRADE Your Attitudes post.

“Low self-esteem is a humanity thing,” Dianne says.

I guess I’ve been pretty human most of my life, Dianne; but God has changed that for me. It’s all about embracing the truth.

Dianne continues …

I’ve been “on stage” since my second-grade piano recital. I’ve appeared confident as a journalist and speaker for women’s events. But most of my life I’ve struggled with feelings of inferiority.

Most people wrestle this enemy—the inferior interior. Outward affirmation won’t cure it … career success can’t eradicate it.

We need divine intervention. Our part is to change our thinking.

1. I’m fearfully and wonderfully made. While beating myself up for what I’m not, I read this passage. “You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:13-14, NIV). Fearfully and wonderfully made by God himself! Belittling myself condemns his creation.

2. I’m here on purpose. That floods me with hope. While the enemy went overboard bashing, the Lord whispered, “I put you here—on this earth, in this family, in these circumstances—because you have something to contribute.” His Word clarifies we’re created with differences to fulfill specific assignments in the body of Christ. We each have a purpose in his huge plan.

3. I won’t compare my weakness with someone else’s strength. I learned this principle while sitting with a friend after minor surgery. She asked me to get something out of her closet. Opening the door I saw unbelievable organization. Lacking organization skills, I went home and cried.

God spoke. Don’t compare your weakness with someone else’s strength. He brought me to this verse: “Try to have a sane estimate of your capabilities” (Romans 12:3, Phillips). A temperament analysis and spiritual-gifts inventory helped me identify and appreciate my abilities. It isn’t egotistical to have a sane estimate of our capabilities.

4. I do some things well. My sane estimate revealed I’m good at many things. I’d wanted to exchange temperaments, but that would give me a different set of strengths and weaknesses. Nobody got all strengths. God equips us for the work he designs. Our concern is using our strengths for his maximum glory.

5. I’m not competing with anyone for God’s will for my life. During college, my daughter competed in several beauty pageants. One evening she returned from practice discouraged by the amazing talent performances. The Lord’s sweet assurance lifted her despondency. She said, “I’m not competing with anyone for God’s will for my life.” Exactly.

God’s truth seared my inferior interior.

“You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own]. So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:20, Amplified).

Low esteem insults the Christ who bought us with his own blood.

Consider His opinion of us:

• He knows us by name (Isaiah 43:1).*
• We’re precious in his sight (Isaiah 43:4).
• He loves us with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3).
• He delights in us (Psalm 18:19).
• We’re imprinted on his heart (Psalm 136:23 Amplified).
• We’re engraved on the palms of his hands (Isaiah 49:16).
• He cares for sparrows and considers us of greater worth than many sparrows (Matthew 10:29-31).

Are you still worrying about your limitations? Not me!

“On the glorious splendor of Your majesty and on Your wondrous works I will meditate” (Psalm 145:5 Amplified).

Do you struggle with any thoughts of inferiority? Which of the statements about Jesus’ opinion of you can help you defeat the “inferior interior”?

Dianne Barker is a conference speaker, freelance journalist, radio host, and author of eleven books including the 1986 best-seller Twice Pardoned (life of Harold Morris, Focus on the Family Publishing). Her new book, I Don’t Chase the Garbage Truck down the Street in My Bathrobe Anymore! Organizing for the Maximum Life throws a rope to the desperate drowning in disorganization—purging interior garbage (inferiority, low esteem) and submitting fully to Christ. Her articles appear in numerous publications. She and her husband James have two married children and one grandson.

* All linked scriptures are the English Standard Version unless otherwise noted.

Graphic image in text adapted – courtesy of David Castillo Dominici / FreeDigitalPhotos.net.