Sometimes when you open Facebook Notifications on your phone or computer, you see a face you’ve never seen before–that is, until you glance at the name and realize it’s someone you know well. The person has simply posted a new Profile picture–and you didn’t immediately recognize who it is. Chances are it’s a girlfriend of yours who has taken a new selfie in a stylish pose that she thinks makes her look prettier than the previous shot did. Come on, let’s be honest: who ever posts an ugly picture of herself on Facebook?

 

We all want to look as attractive as possible. The media and our culture contribute to this desire, continually tempting us to buy new clothes and more expensive makeup, or to try a new hairstyle, thinking that all of these things will make us feel better about ourselves. And sometimes it works–for a while. But depending on these things for a sense of self-esteem can eventually lead us into a trap of superficiality.

 

Whoa, don’t get me wrong. God loves beauty, and there’s nothing wrong with wanting to look pretty. Solomon wrote, “Behold, you are beautiful, my love” (Song of Solomon 4:1). But beauty that is dependent on outward appearance alone is temporary at best.

 

In my book Created For a Purpose, I mention that we tend to get our sense of self-esteem from three sources:

 

Our appearance
Our abilities
Our relationships

 

The problem with this is that all three of these sources will change during your lifetime.

 

The only source of self-esteem that will never change is how God views you. He is the one who created you like He wants you. He esteems you so highly that He gave His Son to pay the price for your sins so you could be forgiven and spend eternity with Him.

 

So don’t let the evil one get you off on a detour in your relationship with God and your opinion of yourself. Keep your focus on Him and His view of your value. That viewpoint never changes.