In a world full of people who won't recognize your value make sure you are not one of them. Know your value.
What does this mean to "Know Your Value?" My mind goes in so many directions when it comes to this. Knowing your value means not making decisions based on what everyone else wants while giving zero attention to what your own heart is saying. This is a big one.
I have been a rescuer my whole life until I wasn't anymore and I am sure I will find out I am still doing it just a lot less. We are a work in process and this process takes time. Many times my "Rescues" came at the expense of my own time, energy, resources and even my mental health.
I can promise you that if a person or situation is taking a big toll on you then you dont know your value. I have also found another truth in these scenerios. My need to rescue was also my lack of trust in GOD. He is the true rescuer. We are his hands and feet on earth but it takes discernment to know when to act and when to pray and believe on behalf of someone else. I also call this standing in the gap. It's very important to include God in our giving as he is the truest source. He KNOWS where it's truly needed and he knows how to guide us in his ways so we won't become depleted.
Sometimes when you have a big giving heart you don't recognize a taker. A taker is a bottomless pit of TAKING EVERYTHING you are giving. There is no limit and they will deplete you then discard you making you feel as if you did something wrong. Takers prey on people who don't know their value. God wants you to KNOW your value.
Knowing your value means knowing you have a purpose on this earth.
Knowing that your light brings meaning. Your soul has a purpose. You MATTER to GOD. He cares for you. You were not brought into this world to be simply used up by other people. It's not your purpose to be the stomping grounds for angry, broken, deceived or ungrateful people. It is not your responsibility to fix the brokenness or all that went wrong for other people. You didn't break them. We all have choices to make in how we deal with our brokenness. You have VALUE. You are VALUABLE. KNOW YOUR VALUE.
What I am saying here is your value isn't something external but internal. It doesnt depend on a job title, the approval of others, material possessions, how much money is in your bank account or how many friends and admirers you have. You have qualities, perspectives, experiences, gifts and talents that make you uniquely YOU and you are irreplaceable.
Be passionate in your journey! Be loving! Be kind and understanding! Be compassionate and giving! The moment these attributes in you are taken for granted, just expected and disrespected its time to pull back that energy.
Do not give more of what isn't being appreciated. It's ok to expect nothing in return. This pleases GOD. Do not have expectations of them. However having a standard of how you need to treated and setting boundaries to guard your peace and mental health is of GOD. It's knowing your value. You can withdraw and detach even in situations you cannot get out of just yet.
You can simply detach emotionally and look to God praising him in the hallway believing him to open other doors. Many times I have experienced shifts in these situations where people have encounters with him or simply just a change of heart or behaviour. It does happen and our prayers do matter. This is VALUABLE. Sometimes people and situations do not change and it's not your fault. You outgrew them. It's a hard pill to swallow but I had to accept a long time ago that my faith and love cannot change or save another if there is no willingness on their part to change and grow. God has always and will always respect and honor his decision to give mankind free will and freedom to choose.
Sometimes situations and people are changing but not in the way you had hoped for or expected and you are simply no longer a fit so LET GO. God has your back and knows what is best and YOU ARE VALUABLE to him!
Knowing your value also means shifting perspective. Especially if you have spent any time in an environment filled with criticism. This is the case of most family systems. We tend to be harder on ourself than anyone else to be honest. Knowing your value means learning to understand that you are not your imperfect behaviours. You are a work in progress and imperfectly perfect. You are not your sin or your shortcomings. YOU are VALUABLE. The more you understand this and the Love God has for you the more these things align. Have you ever set out to try to change one of your imperfections? The harder you try the worst it seems to get. The lock hold tightens. You obsess more and more over the thing you can't get free from.
Let me suggest this as it has worked for me. Try surrendering it to God and then praising him in the middle for setting you free. The word says its not by might nor by power but by my spirit says the Lord. Zechariah 4:6
Shifting perspective means giving the things you cannot control to God then focusing on what is good and beautiful about you. Try it. Right now close your eyes and think of something good about you. Think of one thing about you or your situation that you can be grateful for and then focus on that. Write it down and make a list and add to it over time. This is so powerful. this is a first step in KNOWING your VALUE. Knowing your strength and weaknesses. You are a whole beautiful package!
We live in a world driven by performance and comparison. It's ESSENTIAL that you know your own intrinsic value. Your foundation is built here upon which all confidence, decision making, and ultimate happiness are built.
Knowing and recognizing your own inner value is crucial to living a fulfilling life. I will also add that at the very start of this foundation. Before you can even have your eyes open to or any real understanding of your inner value you must know GOD. I would have never been able to truly understand or take in the truths here without HIM. HE is the one who opened my understanding to what it means to find validation from within and it really started to bloom in me during covid when the world was in a state of terror.
We are rooted and grounded in JESUS. HE is our source. Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit. If you do not know him it's time to call upon his name and ask to know him. This is not a religious request. RELIGION won't get it done. RELATIONSHIP will. A true encounter with HIM. HE is where we are truly rooted and grounded and if you knew what I am talking about. IF you really KNEW. It's a life changing experience. Life does not get all grandiose and perfect all of a sudden but YOU are stabilized and taken care of regardless the situation. YOU CHANGE. Ephesians 3:17
Knowing your value is an inside job!
In today’s culture, where social media platforms and success-driven narratives often dictate how we measure our worth, it’s easy to become dependent on external validation. We look to others for approval, affirmation, and acknowledgment. The problem with relying on external validation is that it’s often fleeting and unreliable. The applause you receive today might not come tomorrow. And even if it does, it may be hollow if you don’t already understand your worth from within.
When you make your value contingent on what others think or say, you are giving them control over your self-perception. External validation can only take you so far, and it will always be subject to change. This is why knowing your value is crucial—so that you can stand firm in the face of both praise and criticism. Without this self-awareness, you may find yourself constantly seeking approval, never feeling truly satisfied with who you are.
One of the most practical ways of knowing your value shows up is through your ability to set boundaries. When you understand your worth, you are less likely to tolerate situations or people that diminish your sense of self. Boundaries are a form of self-respect, a clear message that you value yourself enough to protect your time, energy, and well-being.
Healthy boundaries allow you to invest in what matters most to you—your relationships, your passions, and your personal growth. They also send a signal to others that you will not accept behavior that undermines your dignity or self-respect. Setting boundaries isn’t about being rigid or unyielding; rather, it’s a conscious act of honoring yourself. In setting boundaries you allow yourself to hold space for you to continue in being rooted and grounded in the things you need to keep first to continue being your deepest level aand to develop in to future YOU.
Once you make the decision to Know your value you take on this commitment to God and yourself. This commitment is no small endeavour. Self development and growth require doing the work and future you will thank you for it! Doing this work will ensure a future greater than you have ever known and anyone and everyone in your circle of influence will benefit from this work as well! In fact all creation is cheering you on in this journey of knowing your value. When you learn to know your value others around you become empowered in knowing they too have value. It's a beautiful discovery for all to share to be honest. Let your life be the best example for others to see. Let your life be the best book anyone has ever read. Let your life be the best teacher anyone has ever experienced. Let your life be the best reflection of GOD another has ever experienced. Flaws and all. After all perfection isnt required and none of us is perfect. If we were all perfect and the same this world would be quite boring.
The journey to understanding your value involves nurturing self-compassion. Self-compassion means treating yourself with the same kindness and understanding that you would extend to a close friend. It means forgiving yourself for past mistakes, being patient with your progress, and encouraging yourself when things get tough.
In moments of doubt, practicing self-compassion helps you remember your worth. It allows you to step back from the harsh self-judgments we often place on ourselves and offers room for growth. By cultivating self-compassion, you reinforce your belief in your value, even during the most challenging moments.
While you have been so busy tearing yourself down and being hard on yourself for being less than perfect someone else has been admiring your ability to get through all you have been through or even praying to have the kind of life you live today. That is so valuable! Know your value.
This next statement makes me breathe such a huge sigh of RELIEF as I truly understand today what it means to let go of what no longer fits without being terrified.
When you know your value, it influences every aspect of your life. It impacts the choices you make, the people you surround yourself with, and the goals you set for yourself. Knowing your value gives you the courage to pursue your dreams, to stand up for what you believe in, and to walk away from anything that no longer serves you.
Your value is not tied to any external factor. It's rooted in the person you are, not what you do or what others think of you. When you embrace this understanding, you become more resilient to life’s inevitable challenges and more open to its rewards. You will attract opportunities that align with your worth, and you’ll have the clarity to recognize when something doesn’t.
Knowing your value is not a one-time realization—it’s a continuous process. As you grow and evolve, your understanding of your value deepens. You may experience setbacks, face new challenges, or change your priorities, but through it all, your sense of worth will remain constant, providing a solid foundation.
You will go through seasons of forgetting all you have learned having to repeat the same lessons and tests over and over in new ways until you pass them. These lessons will become ingrained into your very being. For me I PRAY that I can find ways to share these insights with others even IMPART them to others to carry on stronger than I have.
I pray that these golden nuggets I have been so honored to have had illuminated in my being will go far beyond just me. They didn't come with ease. They came with being broken open and poured out over and over again. They came with loving others with all that I am only to have them cut me at my deepest not because I deserved that but because they were broken too. These glorious insights came from my willingness to obey God and forgive, let go, and pray for them instead of curse them.
I willingly chose to pray for my enemies. I willingly chose and do choose to turn pain into gain and ashes to beauty. I do this because of my father that is a very real being. He is not fictional and he himself empowers me to make these choices time after time. I am so GRATEFUL because he lives so can I! My freedom depends on HIM! Because of HIM I KNOW MY VALUE!
Take time to regularly reflect on your achievements, your strengths, and the lessons you’ve learned. Your history is your story and it's all so beautiful. Celebrate the progress you’ve made, and remind yourself of the things that matter most to you. Keep reinforcing the belief that you are valuable, regardless of any external circumstances. KNOW THAT YOU ARE VALUABLE!