Low self-esteem can be a challenging aspect of the human experience, impacting one’s perception of worth and value. The Bible offers words of encouragement, love, and affirmation to uplift those struggling with low self-esteem.
The following 20 Bible verses are selected to provide comfort, assurance, and a sense of identity rooted in God’s love. Each verse is accompanied by an expanded commentary to explore the profound meanings and applications they offer.
Bible Verses For Low Self-Esteem
Psalm 139:14 (NIV):
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
Psalm 139 celebrates the divine craftsmanship of each individual. This verse encourages recognizing the intricate design God has woven into every person, fostering a sense of awe and gratitude for being fearfully and wonderfully made by the Creator.
Ephesians 2:10 (NLT):
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”
Ephesians affirms believers as God’s masterpieces, uniquely crafted with a purpose. This verse emphasizes the transformative work of God in Christ, restoring and renewing individuals for a purposeful life aligned with His divine plan.
Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV):
“The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love, he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
Zephaniah paints a beautiful picture of God’s love and delight in His people. This verse offers reassurance that God not only saves but also takes great joy in each individual, eliminating any need for rebuke and instead rejoicing over them with singing.
Romans 8:37-39 (NIV):
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8 provides an overwhelming affirmation of God’s unwavering love. This passage assures believers that nothing in the vast expanse of existence can separate them from the profound and unending love of God, making them more than conquerors through His love.
Isaiah 43:1 (NIV):
“But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.'”
Isaiah 43 speaks directly to God’s redemptive and personal relationship with His people. This verse reassures individuals of God’s ownership and redemption, dispelling fear and establishing a sense of belonging and identity as His cherished possession.
Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV):
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
In Matthew, Jesus extends an invitation to those burdened by life’s challenges. This passage assures individuals that in Him, they find rest and a gentle, humble companion who eases their burdens, providing comfort and solace for weary souls.
Psalm 34:18 (NIV):
“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Psalm 34 offers solace to the brokenhearted. This verse assures individuals that God is near to those who feel shattered in spirit, extending His saving grace to mend and uplift those who find themselves in the depths of despair.
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV):
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41 provides a powerful declaration of God’s presence and support. This verse encourages individuals not to fear or be dismayed, as God promises to strengthen, help, and uphold them with His righteous hand, affirming His constant companionship.
1 Peter 5:7 (NLT):
“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”
1 Peter emphasizes casting anxieties upon God. This verse reassures individuals that God cares deeply for them and invites them to release their worries, finding comfort in the knowledge that they are cared for by a loving and attentive Creator.
Psalm 27:10 (NIV):
“Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.”
Psalm 27 acknowledges the potential human shortcomings in relationships. This verse brings assurance that even if earthly relationships falter, God stands ready to receive and embrace individuals, offering a steadfast source of acceptance and love.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV):
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29 offers a glimpse into God’s plans for His people. This verse affirms that God’s intentions are rooted in welfare, a hopeful future, and a purposeful journey, providing individuals with a sense of assurance and expectation.
Psalm 42:11 (NIV):
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
Psalm 42 reflects on the fluctuations of the soul’s emotions. This verse encourages individuals to anchor their hope in God, recognizing Him as the source of ultimate praise and salvation, even in the midst of internal turmoil.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV):
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
2 Corinthians heralds the transformative power of being in Christ. This verse assures individuals that in Christ, they are a new creation, freed from the weight of the past, and empowered to embrace a renewed identity and purpose.
Psalm 103:13-14 (NIV):
“As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.”
Psalm 103 likens God’s compassion to that of a father. This verse underscores God’s understanding of human frailty, offering compassion to those who fear Him, recognizing the finite nature of humanity and extending grace accordingly.
Jeremiah 1:5 (NIV):
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
Jeremiah provides a profound revelation of God’s foreknowledge. This verse emphasizes that God knew individuals before their formation, setting them apart for a purposeful existence, offering a sense of predestined significance.
Psalm 23:1-3 (NIV):
“The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.”
Psalm 23 depicts God as a caring shepherd. This passage assures individuals that under God’s guidance, they lack nothing, find refreshment, and are led along righteous paths, reinforcing a sense of provision, care, and divine guidance.
Romans 15:13 (NIV):
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15 invokes the God of hope. This verse prays for individuals to experience the filling of joy and peace as they trust in God, highlighting the transformative influence of hope and the Holy Spirit in overcoming despair and fostering positive self-esteem.
Psalm 46:1-3 (NIV):
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”
Psalm 46 paints a vivid picture of God as a reliable refuge. This passage encourages individuals not to fear even in the face of earth-shaking troubles, affirming God’s constant presence as a source of strength and security.
Philippians 4:13 (NIV):
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4 expresses reliance on Christ’s strength. This verse empowers individuals with the declaration that, through Christ, they can navigate all challenges, reinforcing a sense of capability and resilience through divine strength.
1 John 3:1 (NIV):
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”
1 John marvels at the lavish love of the Father. This verse affirms believers as children of God, emphasizing the profound identity and worth bestowed by the Creator, providing a foundation for a positive and God-affirmed self-esteem.
In exploring these Bible verses for low self-esteem, the overarching theme is the transformative love and affirmation offered by God. Each verse provides a unique perspective on identity, purpose, and the unshakable love that transcends human circumstances. Embracing these truths can be a source of encouragement and renewal for those struggling with low self-esteem, inviting them to see themselves through the lens of God’s unwavering love and purpose.