So far, you've managed to survive tragedies in your life that you never could have predicted would happen.
So far you've survived mistakes and immature decisions of your own that could have scuttled your ship, but they didn't.
You're still here in this world, not celebrating in the next one. That means that there's still more for you to do here. God has plans for you! God is counting on you to fulfill your part of the Great Pattern of Existence.
Lupytha Hermin has some wonderful insights into what our attitudes towards ourselves should be:
BE YOURSELF: All of us live in peer groups that have unwritten rules for members' belief systems, affiliations, and actions. But at some point in our lives, our understandings of life may change because of our own experiences. Can we trust ourselves and what we have discovered? Can we trust our new, unique vision? Can we walk our own path if necessary? Jesus tells us "Let your light shine!" We are meant to light the way for others.
ACCEPT YOURSELF: When we pray, God holds a mirror up to our souls so that we can see ourselves more and more clearly. The more we are honest with ourselves, the more clearly we can see our own hidden motivations, our faults, our prejudices, our weaknesses. Can we trust ourselves enough to quietly, inwardly laugh and cry at what we're capable of and say "Jesus, be merciful to me, a sinner," and still accept ourselves as fragile, limited human beings whom God loves?
VALUE YOURSELF: Some of us may be inclined to be doormats, to say "yes" to everything because we're afraid of offending others or making them upset with us. But Jesus said "Say 'yes' when you mean 'yes' and 'no' when you mean 'no.' " We have our own lives to lead, our own priorities, our own goals. And some people live to get as much from others as they can get. Don't be afraid to quietly stand up for yourself and choose what you will do with your time and your energy. And trust yourself that, if you ask God for advice and listen to Him, you'll know what's right for your own life.
FORGIVE YOURSELF: The biggest blow to our self-trust comes after we have made a terrible mistake, or error in judgement. Or we have sinned and deliberately hurt ourselves or someone else very badly. Often, we don't think we can EVER trust ourselves again! Yet Jesus said on the cross "Father, forgive them, they don't know what they're doing." And He blessed His disciples with peace when He appeared to them after He rose from the dead - even though only one of them had stood by Him during His arrest, agony, and death. If Jesus waits to pour His strengthening love into your heart and soul, don't stand in His way out of some false sense that you're not worth it. Trust yourself that God loves and forgives you, and that with Him you can accomplish anything.
EXPRESS YOURSELF: Trust yourself that you are made in the Creator's Image and that you have something unique to offer this world! There are an endless variety of ways that people can express themselves - in loving relationships, in arts and crafts, in ministry to others. Ask God to help you find the way or ways that are perfect and right for you! Ask God to help you find the right words so that you can move forward to the right people and the right path. And enjoy doing it all, because this is what will bring you fulfillment!
LOVE YOURSELF: God made you and chose to love you. Trust first that God DOES love you. Then trust yourself, because God made you for a reason and in His love you are beautiful, lovable, and capable of infinitely more than you can imagine! Whatever happens in our lives, God never leaves us, God walks us through every dark valley, and God helps us ascend to new mountains of light, joy, and happiness. Trust yourself that, holding His hand, you can walk every step of the way.