Self-esteem

Self esteem. Job had it. He was a righteous man, so outstanding in character that God singled him before Satan and all heaven’s host. Who knows, maybe God enjoys bragging a bit when one of his kids excels. At any rate, Job had reason to feel good about himself. This was fortunate, because it gave him the temerity to stand firm in the face of his friend’s insinuations of wrongdoing and his wife’s encouragement to curse God and die. As importantly, though, Job had great esteem for God. In the face of all the evidence, Job still believed God was good and he took Him to task.

Eventually, God shows up. It is later than Job wished, but God arrives. Having given Job a chance to present his case, God speaks up. In no uncertain terms He reminds Job of His power, wisdom and glory, displayed throughout creation. He chides Job for believing he can counsel the Almighty. And by the time God finishes, Job’s self esteem has taken a beating.

Then Job replied to the LORD:

“I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.

You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?’

Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.

“You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’

My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.

Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.” Job 42:1-6

So what of self-esteem? What was the basis of Job’s feelings about himself from that day forward? He had seen God and found his own soul contemptible by comparison. At the end of the day, however, no one could deny, the God of the universe had visited. It was a moment Job would never forget: in the midst of his distress, God cared enough to come.

It is the same for us? We have only one reason for feeling good about ourselves: into our messed up world, God sent his Son. In the midst of our distress, God cares enough to come.