So, how’s your self-esteem? Gag. Ugh. I don’t really like that question! If I answer, “fine” or “good” or “great” then I get all twisted up with over-analysis and wonder if I’m full of myself!

If I answer, “it stinks and is really low” then I get all knotted up with guilt and despair! It’s a tricky question to answer, isn’t it?

So, let’s not answer it! Let’s ask a different — a better — question: “How’s my God esteem?”

God actually esteems us. Sure, He loves everyone unconditionally, but, according to Scripture, He esteems certain people.

This is the one I esteem; he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word. (Isaiah 66:2 ESV)

Did you get that?

God esteems the person — the woman who is humble and “trembles at” or honors His Word!

Oh, I want to be that woman! Don’t you?

So, how do we become that woman? How do we develop or maintain the humility and honor for God’s Word that He esteems?

Here are 3 steps to becoming a woman who God esteems:

1. Read His Word. Yep, it starts with just opening the book or the app! We don’t have to be Bible scholars! We just approach the words on the sacred pages with a sense of honor that we are about to hear from the King. When we read His Word, it heightens our reverence for Scripture and reveals to us who God is. And the more God is revealed, the more we will revere and honor Him and the more humble we will become.

2. Heed His Word. That means, just do what it says! To heed His Word simply means we obey it — we follow what Scripture says. When we apply Scripture to our lives, we become more gentle and wise and meek. Doing what Scripture teaches will continually remind us of our great value and our huge need for God! It will right-size our understanding of ourselves and align our self-concept with the truth of Scripture.

3. Need His Word. (I know, I know. Sorry for the cheesy rhyme! But you’ll remember it!) We can approach Scripture as a duty –a “have to.” Or we can approach God’s Word as a delight – an “I get to!” But, you know what I’m realizing? For me, It’s a “need to!” I am desperate for His Word!

Nothing else gives me the clarity and comfort it brings. I need to hear His truth cut through the millions of voices that crowd my world. When we let His word be more precious than jewels, life-giving like bread and water, we give it the honor it deserves and we walk in humility.

The result? A humble and contrite spirit, deep respect for His Word, and God’s esteem. And, when we are esteemed by God, the esteem of others matters less.

When we are esteemed by God, we don’t even think about our own self-esteem!

Girl, that’s the woman I want to be! How about you? Leave a comment below if we’re in this together!

Lord, give me the grace to humble myself before you. Give me the faith to cling to your Word as the best and most beautiful Word I could ever hear. Make me a humble woman who honors You and trembles at Your Word. You deserve my humility and highest praise. I honor You and thank You for loving me and leading me to deeper places with You. Amen.