You Are Awesome
by Jessica Schmit
Why does it seem to be so easy to criticize our flaws and so difficult to speak about our God given talents and abilities in our lives.
What would your answer be if someone asked you, “What are your strengths?” Most would stammer, unsure how to answer such a pointed question.
Or how about the constant apologies and excuses we make for our actions, out talents and abilities. How many times have we made a dinner, wrote a story or completed a project and tacked an apology or an excuse to it. “I’ve never made this chicken sir fry before, so I’m sorry if it's disgusting.” Or “I didn’t catch those spelling mistakes until after I submitted my last article, I wrote the story in such a hurry!” ( I use that excuse far too often) Or my favorite, “I look terribly today! It must be because I haven’t been sleeping well.”
What are we afraid of? Do we think people will think of us badly if we appear less than perfect? Are we afraid they might hurt us with the truth?
Why do we have to make excuses for the incredible masterpieces God made?!
Somehow, it’s perfectly acceptable for me to say “My thighs look so fat in these jeans,” but it’s utterly prideful to say, “I look great today!” And if someone does say that we all think, “Wow, there either completely vain or delusional.”
Sure, there’s a fine line between arrogance and being grateful for the person God has created, but let’s search for that line! Let’s not be content apologizing for who we are.
Think of the verse, Psalm 139:14, “I will give <b>thanks</b> to You, for I am <b>fearfully and wonderfully</b> made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.”
The Kings James version says “I will PRAISE thee…”
So what are we to do? We’re to praise and give thanks to God for making us.
The last time I checked, praising and thanking didn’t include, “God, you broke the mold when you made me, so can you try again?” We’re to praise him for who we are!
Think about that.
Seriously.
Stop reading and think about that.
(a few minutes later…)
Now choose to believe it.
Push away the condemnation, the guilt and the inadequacies you see when you look in the mirror. Your personality, your body and your mind was all carefully crafted with precise details by the Master Creator.
Do you think He’s in heaven saying, “Look Jesus, I’m really sorry I didn’t create Jan with better culinary skills,” or “Wow, Greg was such a mistake. Heaven could I get your attention? Thank you. I just want to apologize to all of you for creating Greg the Mistake.” No. He looks down at us with pride and love.
He’s our Father who pulls out his wallet and shows everyone our picture while saying, “That’s my child. I love him/her so much.”
Just look at the intricate details of the human composition. Those details speak volumes of the worth God sees in us, His ultimate creation. Stop buying into the lies that you were a mistake. Stop thinking that your sins (past or present) are going to keep you captive for your whole life.
Start buying into the truth of what God sees when He sees you.
<b>Time to Change:</b> Here’s a practical exercise that you can start doing to change the way you see yourself and start seeing yourself as God sees you.
Grab a pen and a piece of paper and write down how you see yourself. Then, on a separate piece of paper write what God say about you based on the following Scripture verses.
Jn. 1:12; Jn 15:15; Rom 5:1; I Cor 6:17; I Cor. 6:19-20; Phil 4:13; Eph 2:10; Eph 3:12; 2 Tim. 1:7; Romans 8; Phil 1:6; Col 2:10; Col 1:14; Jn 15:16.
It’s a simple exercise, but it is very important if we’re to see ourselves how God sees us.
After completing that exercise, find a journal. Every morning begin the day by writing your own personal “I Am.” Stop looking at everything your not, and look at who you are. Declare that in your journal. Write everything you are.
The following is taken from my “I Am” journal:
I am…
A child of God preparing her life to walk in her God-given destiny
A beautiful, intelligent and amazing woman
A woman with a limitless future
A woman not content to settle for less than the best for her life
A victor, not a victim
A committed, faithful and determined woman of God
A woman of God
A woman who will not let her past dictate her future.
It may be difficult to believe this at first, but allow your mind to be transformed as you choose to believe the truth about who you are.
You’ll be amazed at how quickly you will begin to see yourself how God sees you. And the next time you feel yourself beginning to apologize for who you are, remember: you were created and you are loved, treasured and valued by the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, Alpha and Omega. Isn’t that something to brag about! |
