RECLAIM YOUR SELF WORTH, YOU ARE IMPORTANT

Christian Treasure Devotion: Reclaim Your Self-Worth – You Are Important

Scriptural Reference:** Proverbs 16:4 – “The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for a day of trouble.”

Welcome and be blessed as you read this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Some time ago, I read the story of a young man who lost his father, and things were never the same for his family afterward.

He described his father as a drunkard who would often drink himself into a stupor, bringing shame to him and the rest of the family. Their house was associated with alcohol, as people would always bring it over when they needed help, which irked him; however, his father never seemed to care.

Despite his flaws, the man his father was held much intelligence and interest. He could solve complex problems in advanced mathematics, calculus, and more with ease. People frequently visited their home seeking his insights. His father was also a skilled mediator; he had a way with words, and his advice was highly valued in disputes.

A few months ago, his father fell ill—a brief sickness that ended in his passing. After the burial, the young man noticed a strange silence in their once lively home. People had stopped visiting, and the joy and laughter that once filled the space were gone. Though he and his siblings were intelligent, no one sought their opinion on matters. It felt as if they didn’t exist.

"I never realized how useful my father was while he was alive. All we saw in him was shame; we were embarrassed whenever we passed through our neighborhood. Now, after his death, we long for his presence," he lamented.

### Story 2

A ten-year-old boy followed his grandfather to the farm for the first time early one morning. Upon arrival, he noticed that all the trees had been cut down to make way for the vegetables being planted, except for a stout tree with big, leafy branches.

Curiously, he remarked to his grandfather, “You could have just cut this tree down, Grandfather. It’s just here doing nothing.” His grandfather looked at the tree, then back at his grandson and smiled. “Don’t worry, son. Very soon, you will see its usefulness.”

As the sun rose higher in the sky, it got hotter and hotter. The little boy exclaimed, “Grandpa, the sun is too intense; we need some shade!” The grandfather thought for a moment, and the boy looked around, spotting the stout tree with its big branches. “There!” he pointed, indicating the tree standing majestically in the middle of the farm.

“Let’s go,” said his grandfather. They walked toward the tree, sat under its shade to rest, and shared a small snack. Grandpa then pointed to one of the tree's branches providing them shelter and asked, “What do you think of this?”

“Oh, Grandpa! I thought the tree was useless. I didn’t know there was a reason for you not cutting it down,” the boy responded.

### A Personal Experience

I have a little garden where I plant vegetables. At first, whenever I prepared the soil and turned it over, I was appalled to see earthworms. Their presence irritated me, but I later realized how important they are for the soil, as they help break it down, spreading organic matter and recycling nutrients.

### Life Lessons in Today's Devotion

Everything and everyone in life has its usefulness.

- **Don't look down on anyone, and don’t look down on yourself.** Don’t assume that no one loves you; you matter, and that's why God created you.

- Everything God created has a reason. Your height, gender, and other traits are all for purposes known only to God—and you may never discover them if you don’t cultivate an attitude of gratitude.

- King Saul, though not qualified for the throne, was chosen by God because he stood taller than everyone else in Israel at the time. He possessed an imposing appearance suitable for royalty, even his character was lacking. This illustrates that sometimes, people are chosen for reasons beyond their character. (1 Samuel 9:2)

### Assignment

Ask God to grant you the grace to be thankful and grateful in every situation, and He will make His grace even more abundant for you. Amen.

### Prayers

Thank you, Father, for your words to me today. Thank you for making me a part of your creation, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I also appreciate the wonders of nature around me, knowing that they work for me, not against me, in Jesus' name. Amen.