Counselor’s Corner: Inferiority Complex

A definition of inferiority complex is to lack self-esteem; feel inadequate; lack self-confidence; and feel second-rate.

God designed all of us differently, with diverse talents, gifts, and personalities. Yet, some struggle with feeling unworthy and comparing themselves to others. Some people believe they just don’t measure up, and no matter what they do it just not quit good enough. They are always second-guessing themselves, and end-up feeling that their opinions don’t really count.

Low self-esteem and a lack of self-confidence is at the root of inferiority. Usually, someone develops low self-worth and lack of confidence in early childhood years. This could stem from being bullied, rejected, verbal/mentally abused, or repeated failures in a person’s life. Not knowing who you are in Christ can impact your feelings of unworthiness. Believing what others have said about you or the lies of the enemy can surely affect your self-esteem.

Reflect and ponder: What do you believe about yourself? Do you believe you are as worthy as others?

Counselor’s Corner: Believe the best about yourself, and more importantly what God says about you. There is no one else like you on earth, so stop comparing yourself to others. God knew what He was doing when He created you; you were no surprise to Him. Allow the Lord to bring you inner healing from your past, and uncover the roots of your inferiority. You are not what others have said and done to you.

Instead of believing what others have said or done to you, try trusting what God says about you. Say the below scriptures out loud every day until you believe them. Write out these and any other scriptures that speak to you on index cards, and place throughout your home and your car. Read the index cards as you pass by them. You are retraining your thoughts to line up with God’s truth about you. This is one of the best ways to increase your confidence and self-esteem, by knowing God’s thoughts towards you.

MEDITATE ON THESE SCRIPTURES:

"I am the body of Christ and Satan hath no power over me. For I overcome evil with good" (1 Corinthians 12:27; Romans 12:21).

"I will fear no evil for thou art with me Lord, your Word and your Spirit they comfort me" (Psalm 23:4).

"No weapon formed against me shall prosper, for my righteousness is of the Lord. But whatever I do will prosper for I'm like a tree that's planted by the rivers of water" (Isaiah 54:17; Psalm 1:3).

"Christ has redeemed (paid the price for our freedom) me from the curse of the law. Therefore, I forbid any sickness or disease to come upon this body" (Galatians 3:13).

"Christ has redeemed me from the curse of the law. Christ has redeemed me from poverty, Christ has redeemed me from sickness, Christ has redeemed me from spiritual death" (Galatians 3:13; Deuteronomy 28:15-68).

"Because I am born of God and His heir and more valuable than many sparrows, therefore I have great value. I honor and esteem myself highly, but I honor and esteem others more than myself" (Galatians 4:7; Matthew 10:31; Romans 12:10).

"The blessing of Abraham has come upon me through Jesus Christ and therefore whatever I do will prosper" (Galatians 3:14).

"Because God has shed His love abroad in my heart by the Holy Spirit, I love God more than life and I love myself and others with the love of God. I put God first, others second and myself last." (Romans 5:5; Mark 12:30-31).

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens, enables and empowers me. There is nothing I cannot do through Christ for with God all things are possible" (Philippians 4:13; Matthew 19:26).

"I am the head and not the tail, above and not beneath" (Deuteronomy 28:13).

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof" (Proverbs 18:21).

"Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything." (Proverbs 13:3)

Below are some scriptures with positive affirmations that you can always say out loud:

I take every thought captive into the obedience of Jesus Christ, casting down every imagination, and every high and lofty thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. (2 Corinthians 10:5).

As a man thinketh in his heart, so he is. Therefore all of my thoughts are positive. I do not allow the devil to use my spirit as a garbage dump by meditating on negative things that he offers me. (Proverbs 23:7).

I do not speak negative things about myself. (Ephesians 4:29).

I am very prosperous. I prosper in everything I put my hands to. I have prosperity in all areas of my life-spiritual, mental, financial, and social. (Genesis 39:3; Joshua 1:8; 3 John 2).

I am joyful always. (Thessalonians 5:16).