She stood in front of the mirror that morning, waiting for something better to appear. Maybe if the light hit her just right, maybe if she tilted her head the way others suggested, maybe if she tried harder to quiet the voice inside that whispered—you're not enough. Not good enough. Not thin enough. Not worthy enough.
Maybe you’ve heard that voice, too.
We live in a world that teaches us to measure ourselves against impossible standards—accomplishments, beauty, approval. And when we fall short, as humans inevitably do, shame steps in like a thief. It speaks in half-truths and convinces us that we were never valuable to begin with. That our identity depends on performance, perfection, or other people’s validation.
But G-d tells a different story.
“For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:13–14). These words weren’t written as a generic affirmation—they are a revelation. King David didn’t write them in a moment of triumph or power. He wrote them in awe of the One who made him, down to the very last strand of his DNA. That truth—seen clearly in G-d’s eyes—was enough to anchor even a shaken soul.
This is where worth begins. Not in what we do. In who made us.
Isaiah writes, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine” (Isaiah 43:1). G-d doesn’t tolerate us—He treasures us. He doesn’t glance over our flaws—He sees through them, down to the radiant image of His craftsmanship within.
You were not an afterthought. You were called by name before anyone else knew who you were. Every line on your hands, every scar on your body, every strange little habit you try to hide—none of it disqualifies you from being infinitely loved.
It can be hard to trust that kind of love, especially when the world puts up billboards and filters and standards that crush the soul. Especially when you’ve been rejected, abandoned, criticized, or simply overlooked. I've felt that too—pulling the covers over my head some mornings wondering if there’s anything left in me to offer.
But there’s a moment in Jewish tradition where courage and self-worth meet. When the sea did not part immediately for the Israelites, it was Nachshon ben Aminadav who stepped into the water, ankle-deep, knee-deep, chest-deep—before G-d made a way. That step wasn’t reckless. It was faith. The understanding that even if he couldn’t see the path, the One who made him had not abandoned him. Sometimes believing in your worth is like that—stepping forward before the waters move.
And sometimes, all it takes is remembering this: He formed you. He named you. He chose you.
The voice inside may still whisper. But another Voice, older than time, stronger than shame, speaks more clearly if you’re willing to stop and listen. The Voice that says You are Mine. You are beloved. You are enough.
Not because you earned it. Because you are.
You don’t have to become someone else to be loved by G-d. You already are someone G-d loves.
Psalm 139:13–14 — "For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well."
Isaiah 43:1 — "But now, thus says Hashem who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine.'"
Jeremiah 31:3 — "I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness."
Zephaniah 3:17 — "Hashem your God is with you, the Mighty One who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you with His love; He will rejoice over you with singing."
Midrash, Genesis Rabbah 68:6 — “Even if a person sins, G-d still loves him and desires his return. The door of repentance is always open.”
Midrash, Exodus Rabbah 23:2 — The story of Nachshon ben Aminadav stepping into the Red Sea before it parted, demonstrating faith in G-d’s deliverance.
She stood in front of the mirror that morning, waiting for something better to appear. Maybe if the light hit her just right, maybe if she tilted her head the way others suggested, maybe if she tried harder to quiet the voice inside that whispered—you're not enough. Not good enough. Not thin enough. Not worthy enough.
Maybe you’ve heard that voice, too.
We live in a world that teaches us to measure ourselves against impossible standards—accomplishments, beauty, approval. And when we fall short, as humans inevitably do, shame steps in like a thief. It speaks in half-truths and convinces us that we were never valuable to begin with. That our identity depends on performance, perfection, or other people’s validation.
But G-d tells a different story.
“For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:13–14). These words weren’t written as a generic affirmation—they are a revelation. King David didn’t write them in a moment of triumph or power. He wrote them in awe of the One who made him, down to the very last strand of his DNA. That truth—seen clearly in G-d’s eyes—was enough to anchor even a shaken soul.
This is where worth begins. Not in what we do. In who made us.
Isaiah writes, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine” (Isaiah 43:1). G-d doesn’t tolerate us—He treasures us. He doesn’t glance over our flaws—He sees through them, down to the radiant image of His craftsmanship within.
You were not an afterthought. You were called by name before anyone else knew who you were. Every line on your hands, every scar on your body, every strange little habit you try to hide—none of it disqualifies you from being infinitely loved.
It can be hard to trust that kind of love, especially when the world puts up billboards and filters and standards that crush the soul. Especially when you’ve been rejected, abandoned, criticized, or simply overlooked. I've felt that too—pulling the covers over my head some mornings wondering if there’s anything left in me to offer.
But there’s a moment in Jewish tradition where courage and self-worth meet. When the sea did not part immediately for the Israelites, it was Nachshon ben Aminadav who stepped into the water, ankle-deep, knee-deep, chest-deep—before G-d made a way. That step wasn’t reckless. It was faith. The understanding that even if he couldn’t see the path, the One who made him had not abandoned him. Sometimes believing in your worth is like that—stepping forward before the waters move.
And sometimes, all it takes is remembering this: He formed you. He named you. He chose you.
The voice inside may still whisper. But another Voice, older than time, stronger than shame, speaks more clearly if you’re willing to stop and listen. The Voice that says You are Mine. You are beloved. You are enough.
Not because you earned it. Because you are.
You don’t have to become someone else to be loved by G-d. You already are someone G-d loves.
Psalm 139:13–14 — "For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well."
Isaiah 43:1 — "But now, thus says Hashem who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine.'"
Jeremiah 31:3 — "I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness."
Zephaniah 3:17 — "Hashem your God is with you, the Mighty One who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you with His love; He will rejoice over you with singing."
Midrash, Genesis Rabbah 68:6 — “Even if a person sins, G-d still loves him and desires his return. The door of repentance is always open.”
Midrash, Exodus Rabbah 23:2 — The story of Nachshon ben Aminadav stepping into the Red Sea before it parted, demonstrating faith in G-d’s deliverance.
