Ouch! Words really do hurt.

Past mistakes, debt, addiction and physical appearance are only a few of the factors that can influence our own personal self-evaluation, but our true value is found in the answer to this question: Who am I?

Let's go over some Biblical truths about our true identity in Christ.

1. We are His

“But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”

- Isaiah 43:1 (NIV)

The same God who created the heavens and the earth wanted one of us too. He calls us "His" because we are children of God. He created us. If you're a parent, you know the love you feel when you look at your children. Our Heavenly Father feels the same way about us.

2. We are loved

“The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”

-Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV)

There is not a single thing God doesn’t know about us and He loves us anyway. When we are feeling less than loved we can rest in knowing that God’s love for us never stops. He loves us when we are at church on Sunday praising His holy name in the same way He loves us when we’re crying in the shower, trying to wash away our sorrows.

God is constant, as is His love. It is never-ending. It does not change.

3. We are beautiful

“Let the king be enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord.”

-Psalm 45:11 (NIV)

She said you were ugly? Well, she’s ugly! I’m kidding… kinda.

I'm not talking about "being pretty". I'm talking about being truly beautiful; There is nothing pretty about a hateful heart. True beauty really does come from the inside and there isn’t much prettier on earth than a woman after God’s own heart.

4. We are chosen

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other. If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”

-John 15:16-19 (NIV)

If we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are included in "the chosen". Those who are seeking God are doing so because God has pursued their heart. How cool is that?! The King of all Creation has deemed you worthy enough to chase to love.

Click to Tweet: The King of all Creation has deemed you worthy enough to chase to love.

5. We are forgiven

“Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

-Luke 7:47 (NIV)

Hello, my name is Kara, and I’m a sinner.

We’ve all done a lot of things we’re not proud of, but God isn’t worried about that stuff. When I asked Jesus to come into my heart and forgive me of my sins, He did it right then!

If God isn’t worried about our past mistakes, then why are we? Dump the guilt just like you dumped Billy in the seventh grade for trying to "cop a feel"!

Our mistakes do not define us, so let’s give ourselves a break.

6. We have a purpose

“For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'”

-Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Modern day women have so many roles in life; Wife, daughter, mother, sister, friend, co-worker, teacher- the list goes on. All of these titles are important but they are not where our worth is found. Our worth is found in our identity to God.

But... what can we do when we know our value comes from God yet, we don’t feel it? Step one, recognize where the feeling of unworthiness comes from- Satan!

Satan wants us to feel inferior. As constant as God's love are his reminders of our shortcomings and failures combined with attempts to isolate us spiritually and emotionally. He knows our weaknesses and tries to use them to his advantage. He wants to condemn us. Satan is a compulsive liar. He’s a jerk!

“A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and have it in abundance.”

-John 10:10 (NIV)

We cannot allow these feelings of inadequacy to separate us from God because it means we are no longer receiving our value from Him. Without the grace of God none of us are "enough" but thanks to Jesus, being strengthened through the Holy Spirit, we are able to “do all things" and be "all things". (Philippians 4:13)

Click to Tweet: We cannot allow these feelings of inadequacy to separate us from God because it means we are no longer receiving our value from Him.

Let’s come against the enemy's lies by wearing the armor of God.

"Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength.

Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.

Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God."

-Ephesians 6:10-17 (NIV)

We’re going to have bad days so know that it’s okay to not be okay, sometimes.

When we can’t seem to shake the self-doubt, go straight to God’s Word. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. Go straight to The Word and pray to the Father.

His Word is refreshment for our souls, erasing every hurtful word spoken to us before.

When we let it wash over us, we will be reminded of who we are and why we are more than "enough" because we belong to Christ.