13 Verses to Read When You Forget Your Worth
- Aaron D'Anthony Brown Contributing Author
- Updated Apr 21, 2022
How much are you worth? Could you quantify yourself? If someone asked whether or not you were worthy, what would you say? Does the answer depend on the circumstance?
The question of worthiness is one that almost all of us have asked at one point or another. Are we worthy or are we not? We ask in hopes of figuring out what we deserve, usually because we feel undeserving, usually because we don’t deem ourselves worthy.
A teen just turned down by his high school crush, wonders what he lacks. He feels unworthy.
A woman denied by yet another job prospect, questions her future. She feels unworthy.
When hardship appears in our own lives, we too are tempted to question our worth. Are we worthy or are we not?
Well, what does being worthy mean? Simply put, to be worthy is to have value.
When good things happen in our lives, we feel valued, loved, and seen. When the bad occurs, our value comes into question, or so we think. In truth, there is one answer to give to the worthiness question. Yes, we are worthy. And how often? Always. Scripture says as much.
Where Do You Derive Your Worth?
Here’s another question, where do you derive your worth? Does your worth come from people, situations, calmness, or drama? There’s no denying we get validation from the things we do and the people we’re around. The problem is that if we depend on these things for our worth, we’ll always need them. What will we do when these things are present one day and disappear the next?
On the other hand, there’s someone who’s always present and does not disappear. Not ever.
God is where we should derive our worth. Scripture speaks to how much He cares for His children. Just how much are we worth in His eyes? There’s no way to know for sure, no amount, no single word that encompasses the totality of His love, but among other things, God sent His only Son to die for our sins (Romans 5:8). Talk about love. Talk about worth!
So the next time something terrible has happened and you’re left doubting your worth, take some time to remind yourself of the truth. You are worthy, and if that voice in the back of your head says, well, how do you know, that’s when you affirm yourself with scripture.
13 Verses to Read When You Forget Your Worth
“I waited patiently for the Lord, and he turned to me and heard my cry for help. He brought me up from a desolate pit, out of the muddy clay, and set my feet on a rock, making my steps secure.” (Psalm 40:1-2)
God doesn’t turn His back on us, even in times of trouble. Scripture informs us that He is near the brokenhearted, and this verse in particular reminds us that God hears our prayers.
“Consider the birds of the sky: They don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they?” (Matthew 6:26)
How often do we doubt God’s ability to provide for the plants or animals in nature? If we could apply this same mindset to our own lives, our perspectives would be much different.
“Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord cares for me.” (Psalm 27:10)
No matter who walks into our lives, or who lives, God’s value of us does not change.
“‘For I know the plans I have for you’—this is the Lord’s declaration—‘plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’” (Jeremiah 29:11)
Every season of life is not beautiful or upbeat, yet, God has good plans in store for His children. Why? We’re important to Him.
“Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s consent. But even the hairs of your head have all been counted. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:29-31)
Another reminder is that God provides for the animals consistently, while reminding us that our worth is greater than theirs. If God provides for them, what more will He do for us?
“He will cover you with His feathers; you will take refuge under his wings. His faithfulness will be a protective shield.” (Psalm 91:4)
We don’t lose worth just because life gets tough. This verse helps us understand that our worthiness in God’s eyes doesn’t change. He’s with us in the high moments, and in the moments when we’re low.
“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
Our worth is never in question, with calamity present or not. Therefore, we can trust that our worth doesn’t change.
“As my life was fading away, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came to you, to your holy temple.” (Jonah 2:7)
God is waiting to hear our prayers, no matter how far in life we have fallen.
“When I observe your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you set in place, what is a human being that you remember him, a son of man that you look after him?” (Psalm 8:3-4)
There were many things that God created, but none bestowed with the worth He granted to humans.
“For it was you who created my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will praise you because I have been remarkably and wondrously made. Your works are wondrous, and I know this very well.” (Psalm 139:13-14)
Our worth in God’s eyes began while we were still in our mother’s womb.
“Keep your life free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for he himself has said, I will never leave you or abandon you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
Money and anything else physical we acquire in life are ephemeral, but the love and presence of God are everlasting.
“Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)
God walks with us through every season of life, but too often our confidence and sense of worthiness come into question when we find ourselves in the valley. If only we acknowledged continuously, we are not alone.
“So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female.” (Genesis 1:27)
We are worthy. And we’re worthy in a sense unlike the animals, plants, planets, and more. We bear the image of God.
Remember Your Worth
Though this article ends and your day continues, there may come a time again when you wonder, What am I worth? What will you do to remind yourself of how much God values you?
Getting reminders from family or friends is nice, but sometimes you’ll need to be able to pick yourself up.
Remember you are worthy. Not because of your parents, grandparents, children, friends, work, or hobbies. You are worthy because of God’s love for you.
If you still have doubts, don’t take my word or any other person’s. Look to Scripture. There are plenty of verses there to read when you need a reminder about your worth.
If there’s anyone who loves you deeply, that would be God.
Photo Credit: Unsplash/Laurenz Kleinheider
Aaron D'Anthony Brown is a freelance writer, hip-hop dance teacher, and visual artist, living in Virginia. He currently contributes to Salem Web Network’s Crosswalk platform and supports various clients through the freelancing website Upwork. He's an outside-the-box thinker with a penchant for challenging the status quo.
Get in touch with him at aarondanthony.com and check out his debut short story anthology Honey Dreams on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.