If we ask Google how many people live on Earth, it will give us an estimation of 7.3 billion. That world population clock goes up and down every second, indicating new births and deaths. At one point in our lives, we realize we are only one of 7.3 billion people, and our self-worth begins to crumble.

It is common to feel small in a world so big. We look around and see how little we’ve accomplished compared to others. And for some of us, we come to a conclusion that we are just standing still on a planet full of people who are moving along with the orbit of the Earth. Seems dramatic, but it is easier than we think to buy into the lie that we are not important. I have been here, you have been here, and a majority of that 7.3 billion people have, too.

No matter what our explanations are for why we may feel insignificant—there are expressions, and science, and even a God who says differently. This is not about what we have done, where we have been, or who we think we are. This is simply about the truths that attempt to espouse who we truly are and how much we are sincerely worth.

Let’s start from the beginning, at the place where we inevitably find ourselves:

Aristotle once said, “It is in our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.”

And once we have focused on that light and found it:

William Shakespeare reveals to us that, “We know what we are, but know not what we may be.”

In order to know what we may be:

Jimmy Dean teaches us a way of thinking that we ought to remember for ourselves. “I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.”

When we reach for our goals, we will experience obstacles. Sometimes, we may even be our own obstacle:

As Bruce Lee (yes, the famous martial artist) informs us, “If you always put a limit on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them.” This is also for all of us who constantly compare ourselves to others. Don’t do it!

When we get past those obstacles we must remain steadfast, for we are still, and always will be, on a path that entails difficulties. We must hold tight, for we have a mightier, all powerful God on our side:

He says, “I have told you all of this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” We receive assurance unlike any other in John 16:33.

As we move forward in our lives, we must remember:

It has already been discovered by Albert Einstein that we are never standing still. We move along with the orbit of the Earth, so we must not believe that we are alone as those around us move forward. We, too, can always be moving forward.

Don’t let fear determine anything in your life:

Journalist and philanthropist, Soledad O’Brien says, “I’ve learned that fear limits you and your vision. It serves as blinders to what may be just a few steps down the road for you. The journey is valuable, but believing in your talents, your abilities, and your self-worth can empower you to walk down an even brighter path. Transforming fear into freedom—how great is that?”

Friends, let’s always remember that our worth is not something we have earned. It’s not something we can search for. And it most definitely isn’t something that someone can give to us by validation or praise. We are enough and we have a life worth living because we were fearfully and wonderfully made, and that makes all of us one of a kind. Our value has nothing to do with the self. It is always going to be about what was given to us from the moment we were born. Let’s be the generation to embrace our worth and see how much further we can go with this.