Life is Good but Eternal Life is Better: Week # 8 - A Mistake vs. God Workmenship

Self-Esteem: A Mistake vs. God’s Workmanship

Key Verse: Ephesians 2:10 - For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Key Thought:
God’s works are amazing, and we fall under that category. God is not an impersonal God. He took the time to know everything about each one of us before we were born. He knows how long we will live, what our hair and eye color will be, how tall we will grow, and the list keeps going. He even knew what our favorite lunch meat will be. God is not ashamed of us. He loves us the way we are, imperfections included.

The World’s View: Gotta Have It …
1. The Perfect Body
2. The Perfect Complexion
3. The Perfect Look – Clothes

What does it take to be PERFECT?
1. Lots and lots of money – Plastic Surgery – 11.9 million procedures a year
2. The right genetics
3. The brand name

Why do we feel that we don’t measure up?
1. We have been told that no matter what we do, it is not good enough.
2. We never get verbal confirmation that we are fine the way we are.
3. We tend to compare ourselves to the billboard people. (Dove Evolution Commerical)

God’s View: He loves us and He is not ashamed of us.
Psalm 139:13 – “For you created my inmost being: you knit me together in my mother’s womb.”
Jeremiah 29:11 – “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.”
Ephesians 2:10 - For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

In His Word, He Tells Us …
1. You are good enough because I created you.
2. I love you so much and I desire to have a relationship with you.
3. Don’t worry about “measuring up”; I will take you just as you are.

PC’s Tips for a Higher Self-Esteem
1. Learn to Love Who You are

2. Make Good Friends

3. Give Your Struggles to God

As you go through this week, there will probably be times when you start to criticize yourself. When that happens, pull out this sheet and look over these verses. Remember that God made you special and He loves you exactly as you are. If that doesn’t make you feel good about yourself, then you need to check your pulse.