Do you know who the happiest people are? Those who just accept themselves the way God made them, who learn to be happy with what they have and not care what others think. Struggling to live up to ideals that you think are expected of you by your peers puts a real weight on you, but there’s freedom in humility.
If you were honest, I think you’d admit that you really admire people who have the guts to be themselves—to live right, live healthy and have their priorities straight. Of course, those who make such decisions and take such stands often face loneliness and a feeling of isolation from others around them, which is sad.
You know, when I was young I didn’t like the way I looked. I thought my nose was too big and that I was too skinny and ugly. I had quite an inferiority complex about that, and it took me a long time to get over it. Part of it was pride, part of it was comparing. But then as I grew older, I realized it really didn’t matter. I understood that the Lord made me the way He wanted me, and made me that way because He loved me.
He loves you the way He made you, and you’re beautiful in His eyes. We’re all unique and special. In His eyes there is no ugliness, no matter what we look like.
Building self-esteem often has a lot to do with your relationship with the Lord. The closer you draw to Him and the more at peace you are with Him, the more content and at peace you’ll be with yourself, the happier you’ll be, the more relaxed you’ll be. If you’re close to the Lord, you’re handsome and you’re beautiful, because His love and His light shine through.
You know what I’d suggest you do? Sit down sometime and let the Lord speak to you about yourself. Or have someone else pray and ask Him to tell you how He sees you, what your inner beauties are, what your inner strengths are, what those gifts and abilities are that He likes to bring forth, that He likes to see shine for others. Let Him encourage you, and then be encouraged by Him.
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You could have made me perfect, Jesus, but You didn’t. Instead, You made me just the way You wanted me. To doubt that is to doubt Your love, but to realize that is to find perfect peace, security, and rest in Your love. Take me now, just as I am, into Your heart of hearts. Amen.
If you were honest, I think you’d admit that you really admire people who have the guts to be themselves—to live right, live healthy and have their priorities straight. Of course, those who make such decisions and take such stands often face loneliness and a feeling of isolation from others around them, which is sad.
You know, when I was young I didn’t like the way I looked. I thought my nose was too big and that I was too skinny and ugly. I had quite an inferiority complex about that, and it took me a long time to get over it. Part of it was pride, part of it was comparing. But then as I grew older, I realized it really didn’t matter. I understood that the Lord made me the way He wanted me, and made me that way because He loved me.
He loves you the way He made you, and you’re beautiful in His eyes. We’re all unique and special. In His eyes there is no ugliness, no matter what we look like.
Building self-esteem often has a lot to do with your relationship with the Lord. The closer you draw to Him and the more at peace you are with Him, the more content and at peace you’ll be with yourself, the happier you’ll be, the more relaxed you’ll be. If you’re close to the Lord, you’re handsome and you’re beautiful, because His love and His light shine through.
You know what I’d suggest you do? Sit down sometime and let the Lord speak to you about yourself. Or have someone else pray and ask Him to tell you how He sees you, what your inner beauties are, what your inner strengths are, what those gifts and abilities are that He likes to bring forth, that He likes to see shine for others. Let Him encourage you, and then be encouraged by Him.
* * *
You could have made me perfect, Jesus, but You didn’t. Instead, You made me just the way You wanted me. To doubt that is to doubt Your love, but to realize that is to find perfect peace, security, and rest in Your love. Take me now, just as I am, into Your heart of hearts. Amen.
