I have been reading Jennie Allen’s newest book PROVEN. It has got me to thinking about what really fills me, what makes me feel value and self-worth. Like many who might read this, I have struggled at times with feelings of self-doubt and a lack of esteem. I have viewed myself as having little value, and I have compared myself to others. And all that has ever gotten me is discontent. It hasn’t left me feeling valuable or worthy, and it hasn’t filled that empty space inside. According to Jennie Allen, “Jesus is the only thing that we pursue that doesn’t leave us more empty.”

Jesus is just what we need when our tank needs a fill up. He gets into that empty space and fills it to overflowing with His love, His grace, His compassion, and His strength. Through this, we get a sense of worth. We realize WHO we are when we understand WHOSE we are. We gain our sense of value when we understand what it means to be “fearfully and wonderfully made.” We also get an understanding of the simple fact that we don’t always have to be perfect…in fact we never will be. It is okay to be weak. “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Oh, how marvelous it is to know that my moments of weakness are okay.

When Jesus fills our tank, we also have those times of strength, those times when we feel as if we can conquer anything that comes our way. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13). Have you ever felt so full of the Holy Spirit that you could do anything? If only we could feel that way ALL the time. There is just nothing better than having that God-confidence that allows you to try something you never thought you would try, or to step out of your comfort zone and let God use you in a way you never imagined. Our sense of self-worth rises when we let Jesus work in our lives.

I don’t know about you, but I want to feel valuable and worthy. I want to remember WHOSE I am, and let that give me the boldness and the confidence to step out of my little box and venture out into the new things He has for me. I want His confidence to pour out upon me and lift me to new heights. God has something wonderful planned for my life. He has something awesome and amazing planned for yours. Let’s keep our tanks filled so that we don’t miss a single opportunity that God has for us.