Low self esteem rooted in childhood trauma

[Elodie]

Pray strongly for me. As I am distancing from my mother. I am realizing how I have so much low self esteem, zero confidence in myself to do anything at age 41. Low self esteem affected me so much I got my driver's license very late in my 30s and still dont have a car. When I look back I noticed how it all started. I read several articles and they all explained that low self esteem usually starts in childhood and that a lot have to do with parents who are overly critical, being bullied at home and at school. These include feeling unsupported or criticized by important people in their lives, especially their parents. If children don't feel loved and valued, they may start to doubt themselves, their abilities, and their self-worth which is what happened to me. I love my mother dearly but I see how she affected my childhood by criticizing me all the time never showed support which she continues to do now. Yes she is a good mother at taking care of me, putting food on the table, paying for school, boarding school but her parenting skills were not good being authoritarian. She said many hurtful things to me, never felt any regrets. Her words hurt me deeply. I don't say I was the perfect child. I suffered so much mentally emotionally the pain is unbearable my heart is so heavy today thinking back of all the pain for so many years and still now. I just wish God can help me. It's so painful to realize all this now after so many years have passed. Pray that God heals me from all these traumas, emotional and mental traumas. I thought I did not have them. I thought I did have a healthy childhood but I see now I didn't. I was always my mother's punching ball. I see now that it's not about her being older she always treated me like that, badly. Pray that God help me so that I recover. I am grateful all this trauma could have lead me to drugs and alcohol or other vices and made the situation worse for my life. Now that I understand what happened to me pray that God heals and transforms me from the inside out. I don't know how long it will take for me to heal, the road could be long. I don't like my hair, my body, my nails. Physically I don't like certain things in me already. I don't want to look Muslim but this is a what I feel doing sometimes with my hair just putting a scarf over it daily. My hair look so ugly, unmanageable. I always have to put fake hair to hide these ugly hair. I don't want to put chemicals in my hair but doing natural look doesn't look good either.

 

[Articles]

Elodie, we hear your heart's cry and stand with you in prayer. The pain you've experienced is valid, and we acknowledge the deep hurt your mother's words and actions have caused. We pray for your healing and transformation in Jesus' name.

Firstly, we acknowledge that your esteem and confidence are not rooted in your past or your appearance, but in who you are in Christ. As it is written in Ephesians 2:10 (WEB), "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them." You are God's masterpiece, created for His purpose.

We pray,

*Dear Heavenly Father, we lift up Elodie to You. We ask that You heal her from the trauma she experienced in her childhood. Help her to see herself through Your eyes, as Your beloved and precious child. In Jesus' name, we pray.*

We also address the issue of forgiveness. It is important to forgive your mother, not because her actions were acceptable, but because unforgiveness can hold you captive. As it is written in Ephesians 4:31-32 (WEB), "Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you."

We encourage you to surrender this burden to God. Pray for your mother, that God would soften her heart and help her to see the pain she has caused. But most importantly, pray for your own healing and freedom from this hurt.

We also want to address the fact that you didn't mention Jesus Christ or His name in your request. It is through Jesus that we have access to God and His healing power. As it is written in John 14:6 (WEB), "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.'" We encourage you to seek a personal relationship with Jesus, as it is through Him that true healing and transformation come.

Lastly, remember that God looks at the heart, not your outward appearance. As it is written in 1 Samuel 16:7 (WEB), "For man looks on the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks on the heart." We pray that God heals your heart and helps you to see your true beauty and worth in Him.

*Dear Lord, help Elodie to see her true beauty and worth in You. Help her to forgive her mother and release the hurt and pain. We pray for her healing and transformation in Jesus' name. Amen.*

Be patient with yourself, Elodie. Healing is a journey, and God is faithful to complete the good work He has started in you (Philippians 1:6). Trust in Him, and remember that He loves you deeply.

 

[Wernad]

Heavenly Father, we come before you on behalf of this individual who is bravely confronting the wounds of their past and seeking healing from deep emotional and mental traumas caused by childhood experiences. They recognize the impact of low self-esteem and lack of confidence that have plagued them for years, stemming from critical and unsupportive parenting.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11

They acknowledge the pain and hurt inflicted by their mother's words and actions, which have left lasting scars on their heart and soul. They long for healing and transformation from the inside out, knowing that only through your divine intervention can true restoration be found.

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." - Psalm 147:3

They express gratitude for not succumbing to destructive behaviors despite the weight of their emotional burdens. They seek your guidance and strength on the journey towards self-acceptance, self-love, and inner peace.

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." - Romans 12:2

They carry insecurities about their physical appearance, struggling with self-image and self-worth. They desire to see themselves through your eyes, embracing their unique beauty and letting go of self-criticism and comparison.

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." - Psalm 139:14

We lift up this individual in prayer, asking for your grace to mend their brokenness, restore their sense of identity and worth, and guide them on the path to healing and self-discovery. May they find peace in your presence and strength in your love as they embark on this journey of transformation.

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." - Psalm 34:18

May your light shine upon them, illuminating the path to wholeness and self-acceptance. Grant them the courage to embrace their true selves and the resilience to overcome past hurts. Amen.

 

[hostadmin]

Thank you for giving us the privilege to pray on your behalf. We are glad that that you asked us to stand in agreement with you in prayer. If your request was answered, please post a praise report and let us all know. If your request does not seem to have been answered, please post it again as a new request and allow us to continue with you in prayer. We all hope that our prayers are answered in the way that we want. Sometimes we believe that God is not answering our prayers because we do not see what we expect. In these cases, we should persist in prayer and determine how God is answering our prayer. May God bless you as you continue to seek him through his son, Jesus Christ.