Self-esteem is a fragile thing. Let\u2019s talk about it.<\/p>\n
What is esteem? I consulted two friends (Webster\u2019s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary and my computer Thesaurus) for synonyms, intending to discuss my struggle with low self-esteem, explain how I overcame it, and give a how-to package with a pretty bow on top.<\/p>\n
But my victory in this area is fairly recent, and scanning a multitude of notes recorded over many years reminded me of great anguish and heartbreak from living most of my life battling low self-esteem.<\/p>\n
Webster defines self-esteem<\/em>, \u201cconfidence and satisfaction in oneself,\u201d and gives a synonym, self-respect<\/em>, \u201cproper respect for oneself as a human being, regard for one\u2019s own standing or position.\u201d Synonyms for self-esteem<\/em> include self-worth, sense of worth, self-respect, confidence.<\/p>\n Obviously, low self-esteem means less than the above.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s my story.<\/p>\n I was the last-born child in my family\u2014the only girl after four boys\u2014and I grew up cherished and lavished with praise. That should have given me a solid self-esteem.<\/p>\n We lived on a tiny farm just outside the city limits and attended a large church in town. My dad had a small produce business, and we often traveled to church in his rumbling produce truck. Among the church members were a few wealthy, influential people. I didn\u2019t consciously compare myself, but my modest background set me up for feelings<\/em> of inferiority.<\/p>\n After I finished elementary school, my mother decided I would attend a rather prestigious high school. Many of my classmates came from wealthy homes, and their parents were professional people\u2014doctors, lawyers, successful business owners. I made friends, but overall, I didn\u2019t feel<\/em> I measured up.<\/p>\n Although my family wasn\u2019t wealthy, we had everything we needed\u2026or wanted. My mom\u2019s greatest delight was making sure I had beautiful clothes and every advantage, including piano lessons.<\/p>\n But this feeling<\/em> thing continually tripped me. Feeling<\/em> inferior\u2026feeling<\/em> I didn\u2019t measure up.<\/p>\n That changed when I landed my dream job writing for the local newspaper while attending college. Interviewing celebrities, mingling with the elite of the community, receiving admiration and recognition boosted my esteem. I felt<\/em> good about myself and confident.<\/p>\n After nine years of basking in the limelight, I left the newspaper for an awesome new position\u2014mom. After nine years of marriage, the Lord sent us a baby girl and nineteen months later, a little boy.<\/p>\n I loved making a nest for my sweet family, but low self-esteem began to cripple me. I\u2019d left a flourishing journalism career\u2014something I did well\u2014for something I felt<\/em> I wasn\u2019t doing well. I had no baby-sitting experience and knew nothing about parenting. I felt<\/em> totally inadequate for the most important role of my life.<\/p>\n Have you noticed those italicized words\u2014feel, feeling, felt<\/em>?<\/p>\n In last week\u2019s post I said, \u201cthe heart feels what the mind is thinking.\u201d My feelings were the result of negative thinking. I don\u2019t measure up<\/em>.<\/p>\n I learned transforming truth about what he thinks of me.<\/p>\n Next week I\u2019ll continue my story. If you relate to my struggle with low self-esteem, I\u2019d appreciate your leaving a comment. And consider sharing this with your friend-list!<\/p>\n \u00a9 Dianne Barker 2018<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Self-esteem is a fragile thing. Let\u2019s talk about it. What is esteem? I consulted two friends (Webster\u2019s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary and my computer Thesaurus) for synonyms, intending to discuss my struggle with low self-esteem, explain how I overcame it, and give a how-to package with a pretty bow on top. But my victory in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3],"tags":[142,9,139,138,141,140,137],"class_list":["post-686","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-general","tag-control-thoughts","tag-dianne-barker","tag-i-dont-measure-up","tag-inferiority","tag-living-by-feeling","tag-self-worth","tag-self-esteem-is-a-fragile-thing"],"yoast_head":"\nMy definition of low self-esteem: feeling<\/em> I don\u2019t measure up.<\/strong><\/h3>\nMy definition of low self-esteem: feeling I don\u2019t measure up. <\/a><\/span>Click To Tweet<\/a><\/span>\n
Taking control of my thoughts eventually placed me in a position for the Lord to do something about my low self-esteem.<\/strong><\/h3>\nTaking control of my thoughts eventually placed me in a position for the Lord to do something about my low self-esteem. <\/a><\/span>Click To Tweet<\/a><\/span>\n
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