How We See Ourselves vs. How God Sees Us

Self esteem. It's a big topic. And it's something that I've been thinking about a wee bit lately. As I often do when that happens, I write about it. Here are my thoughts.

Firstly, I think that everyone struggles with self esteem (in some form). I asked a few friends if they struggle with it and the answer from all of them was yes. Following that, I had some good conversations with some of the same friends about self esteem and how we see ourselves vs. how God sees us.

But did you get that? Everyone struggles with it. You are not alone. To use the words of one friend, we're just a few poor souls struggling through life taking comfort in the fact that the other guys aren't finding it easy either.

Our society and culture portrays how we look and act as very important. Everything around is screaming at us to do certain things, look a certain way, act a certain way etc. It's colossally scary how much these influences actually affect us, even if we don't think they do.

So if society wants a certain way (and it's impossible to conform exactly to society, face it, that's the truth!), what does God think? What is His way?

Ephesians 2:10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

We are God's workmanship. Some translations say "For we are his masterpiece". You are God's workmanship, his masterpiece, his awesome creation.

You are unique. There's no one else in the world just like you. (I love how Dr Suess puts it, "There's no one alive who is you-er than you!")

As well as being his special creation, you are also his child.

John 1:12
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God...

Galatians 3:26
For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.

Did you know that by having doubts about your self esteem, you are actually doubting how good God is at making something?

Like I said above, you are his special creation. You are unique and wonderful. 

If you painted a painting that you were really happy with, and then gave it to someone else, and they pointed out the 'imperfections' (that you had specially put into the painting for a reason) and what they didn't like about the picture, would you feel sad and disappointed?

God's made you special. He created you EXACTLY who you are for a very special reason. By doubting the way you were made, don't you think you're being disrespectful of your maker?

Psalm 139:14
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

It's hard to not feel self conscious about the way we look and act. But remember that God has made you special. And he's made you exactly the way you are for a reason.

I love this quote by Saint Augustine. "God loves each of us as if there were only one of us."


PS. Completely off topic, I have created a modest fashion blog. However, it isn't a blog that just anyone can view!
If you would like me to add you as a reader and allow you permission to view it, please shoot me an email using the contact form on the sidebar and I'll add you. :)