Self Reflection
When you think of yourself what thoughts come to your mind? What talents, abilities, personality, physical appearance, sense of humor, level of intellect would you describe yourself? The list could go on.
We view ourselves on different scales. Some say I’m a superstar at all sports or whatever activity you're participating in, the G.O.A.T (Greatest of all time) as they call it these days. Others say I stink at everything. I can’t do anything right or even make the team! Who would ever pick me as someone they would want to be friends with. Some think they are all that and a bag of chips! Some may think, “Man, I have a lot of friends because who wouldn’t want to be around me, I’m awesome!” While others are thinking, “If I could just have one friend that was a real friend, maybe I wouldn’t feel so worthless or alone.”
Some look at themselves in the mirror and think ooowee I look good! I can get anyone I want looking like this! While others are crying in the mirror saying, “Why God am I so fat, ugly and have all these blemishes? I’m never gonna look good enough for anyone to want me.”
These are just a few examples of how the scale can differ in our own views of self image. So I ask again, when you think of yourself what comes to mind? Does any of the previously mentioned statements bring joy or sadness or even a mixed feeling when you read them? See, the way we view ourselves is often how we live our lives. We start to live as we are less than what God has made us or as we are better than everyone else. Crazy enough some even put on a front (facade) making everyone think they are “good” or the “star” but on the inside hurting. A lot of the time we don’t want to admit it... but that’s who’s looking at you in the mirror.
God tells us in Romans 12:3
“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.”
Also in Psalms 139:13-16 it states we are formed by God, made just as he wants us to be. He calls us fearfully and wonderfully made!
“For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.”
Each and every one of us are unique creations of God! We are valued in our own way. So, let's shake off those sad thoughts or those prideful thoughts. Stop hiding from the mirror because you don’t like what you see. It’s time to humble ourselves and believe God has created us to be who he has designed us to be. You are not less than! You are devalued! You are loved! You are exactly who you were meant to be!
Lets pray:
Lord, I come to you today asking for you to help me stay humble. Help me see that you have created me and the world does not define or determine who I am. God if there is anything inside of me that thinks I am less than or better than, help me to get rid of those thoughts and replace it with your word believing that I am fearfully and wonderfully made by you.
Amen.