Overseer of God’s Remnant Assembly Akintayo Emmanuel Looks at How to Deal with Low Self-Esteem
If you are struggling with low self-esteem, then you are certainly not alone. Many people of all ages deal with occasional or ongoing feelings of worthlessness, shame, and self-criticism. Notably, these strong and often overpowering emotions do not motivate effective and healthy improvement. On the contrary, they trigger a vicious cycle and a downward spiral that in extreme cases can be devastating, and even lead to self-harm.
“As human beings, there are always going to be times where we may lack confidence, feel insecure, or struggle to be our best selves in some facets and capacity of our lives,” commented Akintayo Emmanuel, the Overseer of God’s Remnant Assembly. “However, it is during these times we should know that God’s healing love is instantly and always available to us. All we need to do is become available to it, like opening a window to let in fresh air and sunlight.”
Akintayo Emmanuel, who in addition to his work with God’s Remnant Assembly also serves as President of G42-Global Reformers, CEO of Global Leadership and Intercultural Studies Initiatives (GLISI) and Africa Entrepreneur and Socioeconomic Development Association (AESDA), recommends that people struggling with low self-esteem, or who are supporting family members and friends going through a difficult time, to focus on three particularly potent and uplifting passages in the Bible: Psalm 62:5–6, Matthew 19:26, and 2 Corinthians 5:17.
Psalm 62:5–6: “Only God gives inward peace, and I depend on him. God alone is the mighty rock that keeps me safe, and he is the fortress where I feel secure.”
Commented God’s Remnant Assembly’s Akintayo Emmanuel, who has a vision of seeing all nations coming together to worship the Lord and deeply walking closer to Him: “When we are emotionally, psychologically and perhaps physically exhausted by the crushing burdens we carry, then we should turn our hearts and attention to the Christ within. He knows the depths of our suffering better than we ever will, and will bless and surround us with peace when we need it most.”
Matthew 19:26: “Jesus looked straight at them and said, `There are some things that people cannot do, but God can do anything.’”
People who struggle with low self-esteem should never despair of God’s power. We need to do our part and put in an honest effort, but leave the results and outcomes to Him. He knows our destiny and plan, and will guide us accordingly.
2 Corinthians 5:17: “Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new.”
According to Akintayo Emmanuel: “For many people, the most painful and debilitating factor in their low self-esteem is not something they are doing or anticipate doing, but rather something they have done in the past to others, or perhaps to themselves. When we truly and completely embrace Christ and ask for God’s forgiveness, He washes away our sins and redeems us so that we can live in His love and share it with those whom we encounter. When we belong to Christ, we are reborn.”
