“How can I stop questioning my self-worth?” For the Strength of Youth, July 2021, 30–31.
Questions and Answers
“How can I stop questioning my self-worth?”
Through Heavenly Father’s Eyes
“Every day, I pray to Heavenly Father and ask Him to help me see myself the way He sees me. Then I listen closely as the Spirit gives me positive messages from God about my worth and identity, and I say these words to myself in the mirror. This simple activity is a way we can connect with heaven and learn that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us and believe in us.”
Madeleine M., 14, New York, USA
Love Our Differences
“I always do my best to remember that I am a loved child of God. I try not to compare myself to others, because that makes it harder to believe in my self-worth. God made us all unique and beautiful in our own way, and those differences are a good thing.”
Brooke D., 14, Alberta, Canada
A Blessing in Disguise
“We often think that being weak or having flaws makes us worthless. In reality, we’re blessed so we can rise above them and become better versions of ourselves through humility and self-improvement. If we work on the things that are hard for us, the Lord will see and reward our efforts. It’s all about trying and never giving up.”
Ricardo R., 17, Chihuahua, Mexico
Our Divine Nature
“Nothing compares to knowing that as children of the living God, we can become like Him. It changes everything! When we get bad thoughts that make us question our worth, remember that those thoughts come from Satan, not God. We have infinite potential and a divine nature, just like our Heavenly Father. He trusts and loves each of us individually.”
Alexandre S., 16, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Great Responsibility
“As I strive to study and ponder the scriptures and the words of the living prophets, I can feel the Holy Spirit with me, which reminds me that I am a beloved daughter of heavenly parents and that God has great plans for me. President Nelson is always showing us the great responsibilities we have in these latter days and that God trusts us and knows what we are capable of.”
Mirian P., 16, Paraná, Brazil
Do Something You Love
“When we start questioning our self-worth, we can always seek help from other people. But first, we can start working on our own mindset. We can exercise, socialize with friends and family in healthy ways, or do an activity that we enjoy. This helps us realize that we are children of God, who has given us worth and talent.”
Carlos V., Mexico
Get to Know Yourself
“I found that it’s easier to love myself because I took the time to figure out who I am. My grandpa once told me, “You have to live with yourself for eternity, so you might as well be someone you like to hang out with.” I followed that advice and tried to become the best version of myself. Now I feel more confident because I know what I like, what I’m good at, and what I stand for. I feel happy when I’m trying to become the person Heavenly Father wants me to be.”
Sarah Nielson, Utah, USA
Remember Who You Are
“I think of the primary song ‘I Am a Child of God.’ It reminds me that I’ve been given gifts and talents to help the world prepare for the Second Coming of the Lord. Everyone’s part in it is unique and essential, and we are all miracles in each other’s lives. You are indeed a miracle in this life to everyone around you. If you ever forget about it, think about all the things Jesus did on earth and try to follow His example. Whenever you feel sad or worthless, look to help someone who feels the same, and you will feel uplifted.”
Brigham M., Mexico
Divine Approval
“When I listen to God, He helps me stop questioning my personal worth. Other people cannot fully understand my worth, but God does, and I trust Him. If I let people around me decide my worth, all I do is dwell on their words and think badly about myself. But when I let go of their negative words, I no longer need to question my self worth. I’ve learned that I don’t need their approval anymore. We each have inherent worth as children of our Heavenly Father. We need to remind ourselves of that, especially if no one else does.”
Anna G., 23, France
Confidence in the Gospel
“On social media, I see all kinds of people who seem perfect, or at least better than me. Living the gospel helps me develop an attitude of gratitude about who I am. When I’m living Gospel principles such as faith, repentance, and pondering the scriptures, I feel unique. I don’t feel the need to compare myself to others, and ultimately, I’m much more confident.
Alexandra R., Mexico
Forgive Yourself
“We don’t always think we deserve forgiveness, because we know the mistakes we’ve made. But we’re human—we make mistakes and will continue to make them. We need to be forgiving with ourselves, because everyone deserves a second chance. We need to see ourselves through the eyes of the people who love us. We will see a unique and amazing person that deserves unconditional love no matter what.
Valerie J., Mexico