One topic of concern among the women I have talked to is not feeling their worth.
Women often determine their worth by comparing themselves to retouched pictures in magazines, on billboards, television, and the perfect lives posted on Facebook and Instagram. Comparing ourselves to fake and unrealistic lives will always cause us to feel less than or lacking. So where do we find our real worth?
What does our Father say about our worth? In D&C 18:10 we are told “Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.” Why are our souls “great” in Heavenly Father’s eyes? First we are his literal spirit children. Are not all children of great worth to their parents? Of course they are, we His daughters are of great worth to Him!
In fact Heavenly Father says in Moses 1:39 “For behold, this is my work and my glory – to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” He has made it His mission for us to be like Him, immortal, and return to Him to live Eternally! If we were not valuable, why would the God of the Universe make His purpose to bring us home to Him?
How do we come to believe our worth? I believe we have to trust what Heavenly Father says about us more than what the world says, or what Satan would have us to believe about ourselves. I love what then President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said in his 2017 Conference talk “Three Sisters” about us. He stated,
You have the spiritual DNA of God. You have unique gifts that originated in your spiritual creation…You are the child of our merciful and everlasting Father in Heaven, the Lord of Hosts…You are in His hands. Very good hands. Loving Hands…And nothing anyone ever says about you can change that. Their words are meaningless compared to what God has said about you.
In the midst of all the confusion of the world, we can choose to believe what our Father says about us, His daughters.
Most recently, President Russell M. Nelson encouraged and invited us to pray to understand our spiritual gifts and to share them to help others.
I believe, as we are told, as we reach out to help and serve other, that we indeed will feel more love for others and be able to feel more of the love of our Father and the Savior. Our Father has given us ways to heal, through our Savior, and serving Him by serving each other. We serve because we know the worth of others is great in our Father’s eyes.
We must choose to believe we are also of that same “great worth.”
Sometimes situations in life cause us to lose sight of our worth. Abuse, neglect, depression, and other tragedies and difficulties in life can change our perspectives and damage our sense of self-worth.
You are worth taking care of yourself. If something in life is blocking you from feeling your worth, counseling may help. Individual counseling and groups are available here at Life Changing Services to meet your specific needs.
If you are struggling with betrayal trauma, learn more about our free therapeutic program from women, WORTH.
Remember you are of great worth and worth getting help to remember!
With Love and Peace,
Sister April L Stevens, LICSW, PIP
Doctrine and Covenants 18:10
Moses 1:39
General Conference, October 2017, “Three Sisters,” by Dieter F. Uchtdorf
General Conference, October 2018, “Sisters’ Participation in the Gathering of Israel,” by Russell M. Nelson
April Stevens is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. She has provided individual, couple’s, and group therapy for clients from 3 years old to senior citizens, working intensively with adolescents and young adults. She has extensive experience and training in addiction treatment and crisis intervention.
If you’d like to talk with April you may contact her at aprils1973@gmail.com or leave her a message at 205-394-0859
