Since I often write about kindness and service and thinking of others, a blog title about standing up for yourself may surprise you. But I myself have been surprised this week.
Surprise number one: I wrote about encouraging others and received this comment:
I love this! Thank you for this reminder! I can be this for others and I can seek it out myself since it’s not available through family.
Surprise number two: I went to a MOPS meeting where, by an ingenious method, ladies were anonymously polled about their struggles. Two of the most commonly selected items were:
“I have, or have had, trouble with self-esteem or self-confidence.”
“I have compared myself to another woman in looks or motherhood.” (And been found lacking.)
While these comments reveal pain that cannot be treated by a 350 word blog post, I still want to share a couple of trite but true quotes from my early years. No, I didn’t write them. Rather, I was blessed to have them drilled into me before the world could teach me otherwise.
“I’m me. I’m wonderful, because God does not make junk.” In other words, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14).
“Please be patient. God is not finished with me yet.” Or, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion” (Philippians 1:6).
And, lastly, my own quip, which helps me when I’m tempted to weigh my own looks, talents, lifestyle, and accomplishments against those of others:
“Don’t compare in your underwear.” You can see every wart, wrinkle, and imperfection in your own life and body as you scrutinize yourself. You’ll never be privy to most of the struggles and frailties of those around you who are already dressed in their best before you lay eyes on them.
Seek encouragement from a friend or relative you can trust. Open your Bible. You may be surprised to see how much encouragement you can find there. And re-read those three quotes a couple of times. Use them as weapons in the fight for your own self-esteem.
Smoother Sailing 
Powerful! We forget how encouraging a small word can be to someone hiding their insecurities under their “best dress”. I try to every chance I get, because I know how much it means to me when someone takes the time to say an encouraging word to me!