Introducing….You

 

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27

 

Self-image is a tough one right? Do you think you see yourself clearly? Is this a good day or a poor one? Either way, go to a mirror. Now, take a close look, try to see beyond the obvious. Got it? Great. What did you see? Someone who is energetic and ready to face the world? Someone who can’t wait to extend her hand in greeting and say, “Hello my name is Confidence, nice to meet you.” Or did you see what I hear so often, too fat, too thin, bad hair, dull eyes, stress, a dead end job, no friends, no spouse, and so on. This person will reluctantly or with forced politeness extend her hand and say, “Hello my name is Please Don’t Look Too Close.” Unfortunately for most of us most days are like the latter example. Very few of us start the majority of our days with a positive self-image. Personally I wake up and as has become my habit I speak immediately to God. I do this to focus my day, to let the enemy know to whom I belong. That’s great and it does get me out of bed with the right perspective. Most days things go pretty well until the invasion of the mirror or the reminder of what my day holds. The subtle shift in attitude begins when I let physicality or circumstances steer my attitude and steal my joy. Sound familiar?
 
So who are you? Please allow me to introduce yourself. You are beloved. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14) You are a child of God. (1 John 3:1) Now quick, check the mirror again. Any changes? Do you look different? Did your job, social or financial situation just change? No? Hmmm. That’s not the least bit strange because God doesn’t judge by externals. He looks at our hearts. (1 Samuel 16:7) If we could see what other people see that image would be very different.

We all read the articles and books about feeling more confident or more attractive. We look for and sometimes find, ways to better ourselves, improve our images. Those things can help, temporarily but the truth is real change, real confidence, real security comes from inside, where the Spirit of the Lord is. (2 Corinthians 3:17)

In Christ our heavenly Father makes all things new. “Therefore if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old has gone the new has come.” You may not feel new or believe that you look new but God’s promises are true. Why choose so quickly to believe the lies of Satan and the world that tell you you aren’t good enough, smart enough, pretty enough or that there’s entirely too much of you? (Asks the woman guilty of believing those lies far too often)

Fighting back with Scripture is our best defense of course. There are the verses included here and so many more that tell us how incredibly beautiful and valuable we are to God but because He knows us so well our Abba has provided another way of seeing ourselves more clearly. Look into the eyes of the people who love you and listen to their words. We’re all our own harshest critics but that friend, spouse or child sees in us things we don’t believe are there to be seen. Confidence and beauty do not come in packages or on hangers. They come from believing the Word of God and trusting the people He’s put in our lives to support us.

When the things of this world attempt to knock you down, fight back! Fight back with the strongest weapon available, God’s Word. Introduce yourself as Beloved, fearfully and wonderfully made, so valuable to your Father (Matthew 6:26).  We have to know that if Abba were introducing us He would say, “This is my precious child.” Now, we just have to believe, live it and introduce ourselves in kind, starting with an introduction to that often times enemy in the mirror. God bless!