"You Are Precious to Me"! - HOW TO SEE OURSELVES AS JEHOVAH SEES US - Conclusion

 Do not reject sincere words of commendation from those who know you and love you. Keep in mind that Jehovah may be using them to help you appreciate that you have  his approval. Eliana, mentioned earlier, says: "Little by little, I am learning to accept in my heart the kind words from others. It is a struggle, but I know this is what Jehovah want me to do." Eliana has benefited from the love efforts of elders. She is now serving as a pioneer and  as a remote volunteer for Bethel.

Jesus kindly reminds us that we matter very much to our heavenly Father. (Luke 12:24) So we can be confident that Jehovah sees us as precious. May we never forget this! And may we do our best to help others to see how precious they are in God's eyes! 

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From the jw.org publications

"You Are Precious to Me"! - HOW TO SEE OURSELVES AS JEHOVAH SEES US - Continue

 See Jehovah as a Father who loves you. He wants to help you. not find fault with you. (Psalm 130:3; Matthew 7:11; Luke 12:6, 7) Meditating on that has helped many with feelings of low self-worth. For example, consider Eliana, a sister from Spain who felt rejected and useless after years of verbal abuse from her husband. She says:  "Whenever I feel useless, I try to imagine Jehovah carrying me in his arms and giving me love and protection. (Psalm 28:9) Lauren, a sister from South Africa, reminds herself, "If Jehovah kindly drew me to him with cords of love, has kept me close to him all these years, and has even me to teach others, then he surely considers me to be valuable and useful. - HOSEA 11:4. 

Be convinced that you have Jehovah's approval. (Read Psalm 5:12.) David likened Jehovah's approval to a "large shield" that protects righteous people. Knowing you have Jehovah's approval and support can protect you from becoming consumed with self-doubt.  How can you know that you have Jehovah's approval? As we have seen, Jehovah gives you the assurance by means of his Word. In addition, he uses elders, close friends, and others to remind you that you are precious in his eyes. How shoudl  you respond to such encouragement? 

Next time: "You Are Precious to Me"! - HOW TO SEE OURSELVES AS JEHOVAH SEES US - Continue

From the jw.org publications 

  

"You Are Precious to Me "!- HOW TO SEE OURSELVES AS JEHOVAH SEES US

 Remember that Jehovah does not see you the way the world does. (Read 1 Samuel 16:7.) He does not assess your worth based on your personal appearance, social statues, or secular education. (Isaiah 55:8, 9) So instead of measuring you value according to the world's standards, evaluate your worth based on Jehovah's standards. You might read Bible accounts that show how Jehovah valued those who at times doubled their worth, such as Elijah, Naomi, and Hannah. You might also want to write down experiences you've had that confirm Jehovah truly loves you and values you. Additionally, you can review information on the subject of self-worth found in our publications. 

Recognize that Jehovah makes you valuable in Jehovah's eyes. At one point, possible when he was in his late 90's, the prophet Daniel felt "extremely weary" and disheartened. (Daniel 9:20, 21) How did Jehovah encourage him? God sent the angel Gabriel to remind Daniel that he was "someone very precious" and that his prayers had been heard. (Read Daniel 9:23.) What made Daniel so precious to God? Among other qualities, it was his love for righteousness and his faithfulness.  (Ezekiel 14:14) Jehovah preserved that account in his Word for our comfort. (Romans 15:4) Jehovah also listens to your prayers and values you for your love what is right and your faithful service to him. - MICAH 6:8, ftns.; HEBREWS 6:10. 

Next time: "You Are Precious to Me"! - HOW TO SEE OURSELVES AS JEHOVAH SEES US

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"You Are Precious to Me"! -HOW JESUS HELPED PEOPLE RECOGNIZE THEIR VALUE - Conclusion

 After Lidia learned the truth, personal prayer and study as well as the kind words and actions of fellow Christians helped her to understand that she is precious in Jehovah's eyes.vShe says: "My husband often tells me how much he loves me. Time and time again, he reminds me of my good qualities.bOther dear Friends have done the same." Can you think of someone who needs help to understand hownext tome precious he or she is in Jehovah's eyes? 

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"You Are Precious to Me"!-HOW JESUS HELPED PEOPLE RECOGNIZE THEIR VALUE -Continue

 As may have been the case with Mary Magdalene, many today struggle with feelings of rejection. Lidia, a sister from Spain, says that before she was born, her mother was thinking of getting an abortion. Even as a toddler, Lidia remembers how her mother neglected her and verbally abused her. She says: "My goal in life was to be accepted and loved by others. I feared I would never deserve that love because my mother had convinced me that I was a bad person." 

Next time: "YOU ARE PRECIOUS TO ME"? - Conclusion

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"You Are Precious to Me"! - HOW JESUS HELPED PEOPLE RECOGNIZE THEIR VALUE - Continue

Jesus invited Mary Magdalene to  accompany him on his preaching tours. As a result, she continued to benefit when she heard him teaching others. Jesus also appeared to her on the very day he was resurrected. She was one of the first disciples he spoke to on that day. Jesus even assigned her to inform him apostles that he had been resurrected.Wjay wonderful indications that she was truly precious to Jehovah.! - John 20:11-18. 

"You Are Very Precious to Me"! - HOW JESUS HELPED PEOPLE RECOGNIZE THEIR VALUE - Continue

 Consider how Jesus helped another individual Mary Magdalene. She was possessed by seven demons! (Luke 8:2) She probably acted in strange ways because being demonic influence and, as a result, was avoided by others. During that wretched period of her life, she must have felt rejected, insecure and helpless. Jesus likely expelled the demons that afflicted her, and she became his devoted disciple. In what other way did Jesus help Mary Magdalene to understand how precious she was to God?

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"You Are Very Precious to Me"! - HOW JESUS HELPED PEOPLE RECOGNIZE THEIR VALUE - Continue

 Today, too, some of God's servants are afflicted with health problems that affect them emotionally.aria, a regular pioneer from Brazil, was born with physical defects that left her without lower limbs and her left hand. She explains" I was constantly bullied at school because of my disability. I was given hurtful nicknames.I even faced prejudice from my own family." 

How did Maria receive help? When she became one Jehovah's Witnesses, fellow Christians comforted her and helped her to see herself as Jehovah does. She says: "There are not enough pages in my notebook to mention everyone who has helped me! I thank Jehovah with all my heart for giving me a wonderful spiritual family." Maria's spiritual brothers and sisters helped her to appreciate that she is precious in God's eyes.

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From the jw.org publications

"You Are Very Precious to Me"! -HOW JESUS HELPED PEOPLE RECOGNIZE THEIR VALUE - Continue

Jesus treated the woman with kindness and respect.  He noticed that she was "frightened" and trembling." (Mark 5:33) Mindful of her feelings, he spoke reassuringly to her. He even called her "daughter "-a term of endearment that was not merely polite but also kind and tender. (Read Mark 5:34.) The study note for this term states that this is "the only recorded instance in which Jesus directly addressed a woman as 'daughter,' perhaps because of her delicate situation and her 'trembling.' Imagine how relieved she must have felt! Had Jesus not spoken reassuringly, she might have walked away physically cured but emotionally burdened with feelings of guilt. Instead, Jesus helped her to see herself as she truly was-a precious daughter of a loving heavenly Father.

Next time: "You Are Precious to Me "! - HOW JESUS HELPED PEOPLE RECOGNIZE THEIR VALUE -  Continue 

From the jw.org publications

"You Are Precious to Me -HOW JESUS HELPED PEOPLE RECOGNIZE THEIR VALUE - Continue

 This afflicted woman wanted Jesus to heal her. But she did not approach him directly. Why not? Perhaps she felt embarrassed or humiliated because of her condition. Or she might have feared that Jesus would reject her, because she entered the crowd while being ceremonially unclean. So she merely touched his outer garment, convince that this jester alone would make her well. (Mark 5:27, 28) Her faith was rewarded-she was healed. The Jesus asked who had touched him, and she confessed what she had done. How did Jesus treat her?

Yest time: "You Are Precious to Me"! - How Jesus HELPED PEOPLE RECOGNIZE THEIR VALUE - Continue