What gives something value? Some things are valuable because they are rare. There are
only a select few items like them in the world. Some things have value because of the work that
is put into them. Other things are valuable because they are art — beautiful and specially crafted.
What is amazing about all these criteria for value is that each of them applies to us as human
beings more than it does to any object on planet earth. We are “fearfully and wonderfully made”
(Psalm 139:14, NKJV), and we are unique — we have no duplicate. We are created in God’s own
image (Genesis 1:27). Yet, we so often do not see our own value. We have no idea what we are
truly worth. This affects the way we view ourselves, the way we dress, the way we treat others,
and the way we live altogether. Why do we have so much trouble seeing ourselves as valuable?
We compare ourselves to others, place value where God doesn’t, and listen to the negative voices
around us.

Comparison destroys our self-worth. While it is natural to compare ourselves to others,
when we put too much value on that comparison, we often find ourselves feeling inadequate and
worthless. We may see that the people around us are better at things than we are. Some people
may be skilled at public speaking, while we are more reserved. Maybe our friends are more
athletic, or better students than we are. When we look at the overwhelming talents of our friends,
ours seem to fade away in comparison. However, we do not all have the same talents. We are all
unique, and God has given us all unique personalities and skills with which to further his
kingdom. Paul notes the trivial nature of comparison when he puts it in the light of the body of
Christ. “If the foot should say, ‘Because I am not a hand I am not of the body,’ is it therefore not
of the body? And if the ear should say, ‘Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,’ is it
therefore not of the body?” (1 Corinthians 12:15-16). He goes on to say that “God has set the
members, each one of them, in the body just as he pleased,” (vs. 18). God has given us all special
abilities to suit his purpose. Comparing ourselves to others is pointless. We are all worth more
than that.

Interestingly, in this day and age, we put value on things that God doesn’t value. We
define worth by appearance. As girls, we want to be pretty. There’s nothing wrong with that, but
we have to understand that surface-level beauty isn’t what gives us value. We also value intellect.
We put pressure on ourselves to make good grades and get frustrated when we don’t meet our
high standards. When it comes to our true worth, though, this is also meaningless. Sports are the
same. Athletes push themselves to be better at their sport, and that is wonderful. However, we
must understand the danger of basing our worth on these things. Athletes get injured. Students
make mistakes on tests. Beauty fades. In addition, we cannot lose sight of what gives us true
value — the things that God values. “For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the
outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7b). “Charm is deceitful,
and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.” (Proverbs
31:30).

No matter how much we know our worth, there will always be voices trying to
discourage us. They come from almost everywhere: our friends, our rivals, our family, and
ourselves. No matter where the voices come from, ultimately, they come from Satan, “a liar and
the father of it.” (John 8:44). He puts people and obstacles in our lives to make us feel worthless, but no one can take away our worth. Our worth is given to us by God, who sent his son to die for
us.

In conclusion, it is vital that we know our own worth and recognize that worth in others.
While this is hard in the world we live in, we can make it a point to recognize this value by
avoiding comparison with others, placing the value where God does, and ignoring the negative
voices that tell us that we are not good enough. We are unique and specially made by the creator
of the universe. God loves us, and he bought us back at a price (1 Corinthians 6:20). Our value is
certain. Every individual person has so much worth in the eyes of our Creator, and we need to
remember that. No matter what the world says, we are priceless.