by Nickoria Graham
The Word: “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NASB)
“But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7 (NASB)
The Story: I am a person who has struggled with maintaining a healthy self-image. Some may wonder why. On the outside my life seems to be in order and I “have so much going for me.” On the inside I have struggled with the question, “Who Am I?” I have based how I feel about myself on how others respond to me. I constantly ask myself, “Do my friends like me?” “Does society think I am pretty?” “Do my boss, family and friends think I am doing well?” “Am I making everyone happy?” “Who I am” has been determined by my current situation, group of people I am around or the environment. When home alone, I often look at my life and what I want. I struggle, because there appears to be no one there to show me who I am. I feel lonely and defeated. Being alone reminds me of failure or that I am not good enough.
The Reflection: What I have gained through reclaiming my relationship with God is a renewed focus that tells me I am His special creation and I am His child. I don’t need to worry about what people think of me in a worldly context. I only need to make sure my heart and my life are reflective of what He desires me to be. When a void is left by an unhealthy self-esteem, a change is reflected in my life when God feels it with the fullness of His spirit.
The Application: If you are like me, “put together” on the outside, but on the inside you are struggling with not feeling good enough, desired or special, don’t sit and wallow in self-pity or allow yourself to self-destruct. Get busy. Try the following steps to grow in who you are:
1) Reach out to God through prayer & reading His word.
2) Use the time you may have sat and sulked to serve in a ministry or talk to someone about Jesus.
3) Ask the Holy Spirit to be your comforter versus looking for worldly validation or solutions.
The Prayer: Lord, I am YOUR special creation. I know you have a specific purpose for me in this world. Help me to stay focused on YOU and not on me. Help me to hear your voice and to listen as you comfort me. Use me Lord to be a light unto others so that they might come to you for strength when they are weak and for comfort when they are hurting. I thank you for the ability to see beyond my flaws to the beautiful creation I am through you. Amen.
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