This article was written to give a better understanding about self worth. It must not be evaluated on strengths, weaknesses, performance, or acceptance by others. The only thing that counts is the one that created us and accepting self. You are permitted to publish it if the resource box is left intact.

Success in life is determined by our self concept. We should therefore do everything in our power to improve positive feelings about our self while holding on to our humility. What we achieve depends largely on self belief. If we think we can do it, we can. If we don't expect much of our self, we won't go very far up the ladder.

Those who identify themselves with their occupation or family ties can lose their identity when they retire, or their loved ones die. People also identify themselves by their strengths and weakness. Some ignore their weaknesses and believe they have no limitations. Others associate themselves with their weaknesses.

We need to identify ourselves by whom we belong to. We can think highly of ourselves because we were made in the image of God. Self esteem should not be based on performance or approval of others, but by acceptance of divinity and self.

We are often proud of our abilities but ashamed of our weaknesses. We are reluctant to be associated with weaknesses, but we all have them. Most of us do not fully understand weakness. Paul was so overwhelmed by one of his weaknesses that he asked God to remove it three times. The Lord told him in Second Corinthians 12:9, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

How can God's power be made perfect in weakness? It is difficult for us to understand, but that is the way our relationship with the Lord works. We are weak and he is powerful. Our salvation was made possible because Christ was crucified in weakness, yet he lives in God's power (2 CO 13:4). When we die, our bodies are sown in weakness and raised in power (1CO 15:43). Our weakness can be turned to strength by faith (HEB 11:34).

We often fail to realize that our weaknesses serve a purpose. We should not be ashamed of them because they are part of our identity. Our strengths and weaknesses tell us who we are. We were all individually designed by the Creator. We are unique; there are no others exactly like us. He gave each of us the precise amount of strengths, weaknesses and individual circumstances in life to achieve his purpose.

God knew Jeremiah before he formed him in the womb and designed him to speak to his people. He raised Nebuchadnezzar to punish them by taking them to Babylon. He used Cyrus to liberate them. Our task may not be as dramatic but it is important.

The fact that we have both strengths and weaknesses helps us narrow down what he wants us to do for him. It is obvious that we are not expected to serve out of weakness alone. It is hard enough to complete our task without attempting it with inabilities. It is not reasonable that the Lord would inspire someone that cannot talk to be a preacher, or a lame person to be a great runner, although his ways do not always make sense to us.

In general, we must assess our strengths and weakness, and decide what areas to work in. Gut feelings have to be evaluated through common sense and soul-searching. Mankind thinks weaknesses are less honorable, but God gives them greater honor, making us complete (1CO 12:23).

No one has complete strengths or weaknesses. The important thing is not to be paralyzed by our weaknesses, but to work around them. Desire and determination are the most important things in every situation. Without them failure is inevitable, and with them, success can be obtained over almost any weakness.