Have you ever felt unworthy? I have many times. Unworthy…unlovely…undesirable…It’s easy to get into a mindset of self-pity on our rough days, isn’t it?

Well, the early church had these moments too. In 1 Peter 1, Peter writes “to God’s elect, exiles” the “scattered”. If anyone had a reason to self-pity, these people were deserving. But Peter doesn’t stop with this description. In chapter 2, verse 9, he says:

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Imagine Peter writing, “to you insignificant outcasts, don’t forget, you are chosen, royal, holy, special.” That’s essentially what he said to these letter recipients, and those words still apply today.

In Ephesians 1:4-5, the Bible uses a stronger analogy. It says we’re adopted by God. Again, Romans 8:17 extends another title to our name, saying we’re co-heirs with Christ.

The most amazing part about all of this, is the Bible says we brought nothing to the table.

For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God.

1 Corinthians 1:26-29

On my own, I’m exactly how I’ve pictured myself…not much to behold. I am unworthy, unlovely, undesirable, but God doesn’t leave me there. Before the creation of the world, He chose me (Ephesians 1:4). Why would God do such a thing?

But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:4-6

See our value doesn’t come from anything inherent within us. It came to us through God’s love. You have an immeasurable worth to Him. When you feel unlovely, know that your worth doesn’t depend on you. It doesn’t even depend on those around you; rather, your worth is tied to God’s love. As such, it’s steadfast and immeasurable.

So friends, you have a worth. You’re a special, holy, royal, chosen, child of the King. Never lower your standards to less.