REXBURG—A person’s worth does not change with appearance, accomplishments or the success of others, BYU-Idaho devotional speaker Brother Barnes taught in his address about divine identity and Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation.
Barnes, a counselor in the BYU-Idaho Counseling Center, encouraged listeners to strengthen their relationships with God, themselves and others. He explained that understanding divine worth begins with recognizing each person’s identity as a child of God and potential to become like Him.
“Our true worth is infinite and eternal, it is constant and it does not change,” Barnes said in his devotional. “Your worth is not diminished by what others do or possess.”
Barnes warned that worldly measures of worth, including wealth, physical appearance, popularity and intelligence, can encourage comparison and discouragement. Social media can reinforce those feelings by presenting false realities that leave people believing they do not measure up.
In an interview with BYU-Idaho Radio, Barnes explained that insecurity can lead people to seek reassurance by comparing themselves with those around them. He encouraged accepting the worth Heavenly Father already sees in each person.
“The world has symbols of worth, but they’re comparative. They’re inaccurate. They often lead us to places of insecurity,” Barnes said in the interview.
That understanding also applies to how people treat themselves. In his devotional, Barnes asked listeners to consider whether they hold themselves to harsher standards than they use for others.
“One way to begin with this overwhelming task is to practice treating yourself like a dear friend,” Barnes said in his address.
During the interview, Barnes offered a practical way to apply that counsel: Consider what you would say to a close friend experiencing the same struggle, then practice offering yourself that same kindness.
Barnes also shared in his devotional how comparison once affected his understanding of his patriarchal blessing. After noticing his younger brother’s blessing was longer, he initially felt insecure. Over the following decades, he came to recognize the personal guidance and evidence of God’s love within his own blessing.
In the interview, he explained that overcoming insecurity often happens gradually, as experience helps people recognize progress and Heavenly Father’s influence in their lives.
He also emphasized that painful experiences can become opportunities for growth through Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father’s plan.
“What I find is that God, if we allow Him, will use all things for our good,” Barnes said in the interview. “It’s just beautiful to watch.”