Well, God bless you! It’s great to be with you today. I hope you’ll stay connected with us throughout the week through our daily podcast, YouTube channel, social media, or by visiting us in person. We’d love to have you join one of our services.
I like to start with something funny. I heard about this little girl who was sitting on her grandfather’s lap. She noticed how wrinkled his face was and, comparing it to her own, asked, “Granddaddy, did God make you?” He laughed and said, “Yes, honey, He made me a long time ago.” Then she asked, “Did God make me?” He replied, “Yes, He made you just a little while ago.” She thought for a moment and said, “Granddaddy, God’s getting better, isn’t He?”
All right, let’s say it like we mean it:
This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. I have what it says I have. I can do what it says I can do. Today, I will be taught the Word of God. I boldly confess my mind is alert, my heart is receptive. I will never be the same. In Jesus’ name, God bless you.
Building Yourself Up
I want to talk to you today about building yourself up. It’s wonderful to have people who cheer us on—spouses who compliment us, neighbors who offer kind words, or friends who are always there to encourage us. These relationships are healthy and uplifting, but it becomes unhealthy if you start depending on others to keep you cheered up.
If someone doesn’t compliment you, you might start doubting yourself. If they’re not there to encourage you, you lose passion. If your coworker doesn’t praise your work, you may feel down, thinking you’re not good enough. This dependency on others’ approval can become like an addiction. You base your worth on what people say about you, needing their compliments to feel good.
But God didn’t create you to rely on others to keep you whole. He may use people to encourage you, but at some point, He will pull them back. He doesn’t want you stuck depending on external validation. People can let you down—they’re busy, distracted by their own challenges, and won’t always be there when you need them.
Here’s the key: if nobody is complimenting you, you need to learn to compliment yourself. If nobody tells you that you look good today, look in the mirror and say, “Wow, you look amazing. You’re a masterpiece, one of a kind, a prized possession.” If your friend doesn’t call or your neighbor doesn’t stop by, remind yourself, “I am a child of the Most High. I’ve been handpicked by the Creator of the universe. I have royal blood flowing through my veins.”
The Scripture says in Jude 1:20-21:
Quit putting your mood, your self-worth, or your value in someone else’s hands. The Scripture says, “Build yourself up.” Approve yourself. Say, “I’m made in the image of Almighty God. I’m approved, worthy, and valuable.”
When you rely on others for approval, you’re at their mercy. If they’re upset, distracted, or unavailable, you’re left without the encouragement you were hoping for. But when you learn to build yourself up, what they do or don’t do doesn’t affect you. You’ve already encouraged yourself, complimented yourself, and approved yourself.
Every morning before you leave the house, build yourself up. Don’t go out hoping someone else will encourage you or make you feel good. Say to yourself, “I know who I am. I’m valuable, talented, worthy, and exceptional.” If you depend on people to lift you up, you’ll live on a roller coaster—one day up because someone cheered you on, the next day down because they didn’t.
Celebrate Yourself
It’s healthy to clap for yourself. Celebrate what you’ve done. You’re not bragging; you’re honoring the gifts, talents, and abilities God has given you. Don’t let an inner critic constantly put you down. You already face enough opposition from the outside—you don’t need it on the inside.
Every morning, thank God for who He created you to be:
“Lord, I thank You that You chose me, that I am a person of destiny. I’m redeemed, forgiven, worthy, and crowned with favor.”
Don’t leave your self-worth in someone else’s hands. People can’t give you everything you need. Only God can fill you with rivers of living water. Instead of looking to others, look to Him. Build yourself up with who He says you are.
If nobody’s clapping for you, clap for yourself. If nobody’s buying you flowers, buy your own flowers. If nobody’s complimenting you, compliment yourself. Remind yourself: “I am chosen, loved, and valuable.”
The Power of Encouragement
You can encourage others, but don’t forget to encourage yourself. Be your biggest cheerleader. Compliment yourself freely and often. The more you do this, the less you’ll depend on others for validation. You’ll be secure, confident, and strong.
Even God celebrated His work along the way. After each day of creation, He stopped and said, “That was good.” He didn’t wait until it was all finished. He celebrated progress, not just perfection. In the same way, don’t wait until you’ve achieved everything to feel proud. Celebrate your growth and the small victories.
You are a masterpiece, created by the God of the universe. Start building yourself up, declaring who He says you are. Quit looking to others for approval, and turn to Him for your worth. If you do this, I believe and declare that you’ll rise higher, accomplish your dreams, and reach new levels of your destiny.
And if you receive it, can you say, Amen?
