The Race is not for the Swift!! Self-Esteem Included!!

This is an interpretation of Ecclesiastes 9:11. The Bible verse means that we have to persevere and go through personal trials and tribulations for Jesus Christ sake. I say this is simply because it gives me an opportunity to do what I want in Jesus name. What is the definition of the word opportunity? The answer to this question is a chance for advancement and improvement. This also means that I have to maintain my faith in God; in spite of any problems that are in my way as far as obstacles are concerned.

This Bible verse also pertains to everyone. I know for me personally, I have to maintain myself in terms of dealing with my personal stress that is present in my personal life. My caretakers, family members, and friends have always motivated me to do anything that in a positive manner. For Example, when it comes to receiving an education, it is important for me to have a game plan or a plan of action in advance.

Next, I want to say that this Bible verse is not for those who are rich in power or might. This verse pertains to those who have been oppressed, or those who are low in spirit. In a way, it reminds me of one of the Bible verses in the Beatitudes in the New Testament. This Bible verse also gives me a sense of faith and hope in God. I want to say that I was a person who had a very low self-esteem. I did not even have any form of confidence in myself. I became more of a reactive person rather than proactive.

Further, I want to inform everyone that King Solomon had encouraged everyone to have faith in God. The race is not for the swift reminds of the race between the tortoise and the hare. The hare did not win the race because he was overconfident. He ended up taking a break, while the tortoise walked slowly, and he took his time. Therefore, the tortoise won the race. This means that we should not give up whatsoever. God is always there for all of us.

Moreover, I want to say that in the United States, there is a class society. There is the wealthy, middle class, and the poor. I know for me personally, I grew up poor. I am the oldest of my mother’s 9 children. However, one of my siblings passed away on June 2, 2017. My sister died from a rare blood disease. My nieces and nephews lost their mother. My oldest nephew and I paid for my sister’s funeral. I have a lot of respect for him. He made a conscious decision to use of his money to pay for his mother’s funeral. To all of my family members and friends, I really love all of you.

What Does the Bible say about Self-Esteem?

What does the Bible say about self-esteem?

Self-esteem has to do with how we think about ourselves and how we value ourselves. One definition of self-esteem is a person’s overall subjective emotional evaluation of his or her own worth. Therefore, someone with low self-esteem considers themselves to be worth little, whereas someone with high self-esteem considers themselves to have great worth. Much of the world derives their self-esteem from categories such as wealth, appearance, strength, occupation, popularity, celebrity, and relationships. Inevitably, the self-esteem of these individuals rises and falls based on how they are doing in these categories, especially in comparison to others. But what does the Bible say about self-esteem? How are we to determine our worth? What is the true source of our worth?

The terms self-worth and self-esteem do not appear in the pages of Scripture. Self-worth, when understood as worth DERIVED from the self, as opposed to the opinion we have of ourselves, is a bit of a misnomer. In order to have any self-worth (independent from God), we would have to be self-made, which is impossible. In order to create yourself, you would need to exist already. If you existed already, you would not need to create yourself. Not only is self-creation a logical impossibility, we have the testimony of God’s word to refute it. We are, in fact, made by God and in the image of God, and this truth is the basis of our worth. We can say with David, “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” (Psalm 139:13–14). The fact that we are made in the image of the only eternal, all-knowing, all-powerful, all-wise God could easily become a temptation to pride. This is why we must always remember that our creation, our continued existence and our worth, lies not in ourselves, but in the powerful working of God (Genesis 1:27; Acts 17:28; Hebrews 1:3).

If we are made in the image of God, why do so many people struggle with the issue of their worth? The answer can be summed up in two words—the fall. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, the image of God in them became shattered and marred. Whereas they once walked naked in the garden without s