Challenging the Flawed Remedy: Rethinking Self-Esteem for Mental Health

The Root of Mental Health: Challenging the Flawed Remedy

When it comes to addressing behavioral and mental disorders, medication is often the first line of treatment. However, alongside medication, there has been a prevailing remedy for almost half a century – self-worth enhancement. This approach is deeply ingrained in our educational institutions, psychotherapeutic and counseling systems, the personnel and motivational industry, advertising, and even the church.

But I believe this remedy is fundamentally flawed. Its Christianized forms may even lead to damaging views of Christ and the cross. One such misconception is the idea that the cross of Christ is a justification for self-esteem as the key to mental health.

However, I want to challenge this perspective. I don't believe that self-esteem should be the foundation of mental health, even when it is framed as being loved by God. We need to avoid the notion that God's love for us is primarily based on our self-worth, such as believing that "I am lovable" or "I am worth loving" or "God doesn't love junk." These statements make two critical errors.

The Error of Missing God's Glory

Firstly, when we focus on self-esteem, we miss the reality and glory of God's love. The emphasis shifts from God's infinite love for us to our own perception of our worthiness. We reduce God's love to a transactional exchange based on our perceived self-worth. This diminishes the majesty and wonder of God's unconditional love for all of humanity.

To understand the true nature of God's love, we must turn to Scripture. The Bible is filled with references to God's love for his people, emphasizing that it is not dependent on our performance or self-esteem. For example, in Romans 5:8, we read, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." This verse reminds us that God's love is not conditional on our worthiness but is freely given to all, regardless of our flaws or failures.

By fixating on self-esteem, we miss out on the profound truth that God's love is far greater than anything we could ever earn or deserve. It is a love that surpasses our understanding and extends to the depths of our brokenness.

The Error of Misplacing Our Identity

Secondly, when we place self-esteem at the center of mental health, we make the mistake of misplacing our identity. Our identity should not be rooted in our own perceived self-worth but in our relationship with Christ. As believers, our true worth and value come from being made in the image of God and being called children of God.

Scripture repeatedly affirms our identity in Christ. In Ephesians 2:10, we are reminded that "we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." This verse emphasizes that our worth and purpose are found in being created by God and being empowered to fulfill His plans for our lives.

When we derive our worth from self-esteem, we become susceptible to the fluctuations of human opinion and the constant need for validation. Our self-worth becomes contingent on the approval of others, leading to a fragile sense of identity. However, when we ground our identity in Christ, we find a firm foundation that is unshakable and secure.

The True Source of Mental Health

If self-esteem is not the root of mental health, then what is? The answer lies in surrendering ourselves fully to God and embracing His love and grace. Mental health is not found in striving for self-worth, but in realizing that we are deeply loved and accepted by our Heavenly Father.

In Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus summarizes the greatest commandments, saying, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" Here, Jesus reveals that the foundation of mental health lies in loving God and loving others.

When we prioritize our relationship with God and seek to love Him with our whole being, we experience the transformative power of His love in our lives. This love fills the void within us and brings healing to our wounded hearts and minds. It is in this love that we find true peace, joy, and contentment.

Loving our neighbors as ourselves also plays a crucial role in our mental health. When we extend love and compassion to others, we shift our focus away from ourselves and towards the well-being of those around us. This selfless love brings fulfillment and purpose, fostering positive mental health in our lives.

The Danger of Distorted Views

In our pursuit of mental health, we must be cautious of distorted views that prioritize self-esteem above God's love and our true identity in Christ. By embracing self-worth as the foundation of mental health, we risk diminishing the glory of God's love and misplacing our identity.

Instead, let us seek a deeper understanding of God's love and allow it to shape our understanding of mental health. Mental health is not found in self-esteem but in surrendering to God's love, embracing our identity in Christ, and loving God and others.

As we journey towards mental health, let us fix our eyes on Jesus, who is the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). In Him, we find the true source of healing, wholeness, and abundant life.