10 bible verses for when you feel less-than

Once again this year, my insecurity reared its ugly head. It’s something I’ve always battled, worrying about what people think. You might know the feeling – when you feel less-than. But every year, sometimes twice a year, it gets exposed in my life in an ugly way.

It’s a downward spiral. I feel like I’m less beautiful than, less smart than, less spiritual than, less creative than, less kind than, and less all around spectacular than everyone else. (OR less than beautiful, etc – you get the picture.)

Basically, I get stuck feeling not good enough.

I’m cringing as I write that, because how self-obsessed does that make me? But that’s the truth. I compare myself to others most of the time, and often come up short.

I’m also learning that a big part of security is choosing to believe in your value as God sees it, not what you feel your value is.

I had friends point out the following to me: When I compare myself to others, it’s as if I’m telling God that what he gave me and how he made me is not good enough.

When I don’t believe in my value as God sees it, as written in his Word, I’m calling him a liar.

Instead of believing the lies in my head, I’ve been focusing on reading and believing the truth. And the truth is, that I am of great worth to God, that he cares about my well-being, and that he is with me. 

How about you? Do you relate? Is it time for a reality check?

Here are 10 Bible verses for when you feel “less-than”.

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“Show me the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in your form their foes. Keep me as the apple of your eye, hide me in the shadow of your wings.” – Psalm 17:7-8 NIV

“You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great.” – Psalm 18:35 NIV

“The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” – Zephaniah 3:17 NIV

“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” – Psalm 139:13-14 NIV

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:10 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 8:37-39 NIV

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love, he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.” – Ephesians 1:3-5 NIV

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glorious goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” – 2 Peter 1:3-4 NIV

“Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him.” – Psalm 4:3 NIV

“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” – Luke 12:6-7 NIV

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So you see, to God we are:

• the apple of his eye
• victorious
• delightful
• wonderfully made
• useful
• beloved
• more than conquerors
• chosen
• holy and blameless before him
• adopted as children
• fully equipped and capable
• set apart
• worth listening to
• valuable

Do you have any other scriptures you turn to when you feel “less-than”?

NEW!

Get a free printable PDF of Bible Verse cards with some of these verses. You can keep them in your purse, tape around your house, or just have handy when you feel less-than and you need a reminder of how much God loves you. 

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Scriptures are quoted from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Photo credit:

1 – Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

2 – Steve Halama on Unsplash

3 – Amy Shamblen on Unsplash