How God Sees Us
Here are five affirmations to help us see ourselves through His eyes.
When my niece Alexis was nearly six years old, she one day affectionately declared, "I love you, Auntie! I love your hair. I love your face … even if there are spots on it. I don't mind … I still love it."
Ouch!
As usual, my pride reared its ugly head and my first reaction was to be insulted. But then, as I thought about it, I realized that that is exactly how God sees us and loves us.
Do you ever have trouble believing that God really loves you — just the way you are? I know that I often struggle with that, especially right after having sinned and failed Him.
We feel this way because we look at ourselves through our own eyes and through the eyes of other people. But we need to look at ourselves through God's eyes. How DOES God see us?
Here are five points I would encourage you to commit to memory for those times when you are feeling really down about yourself:
1. I am acceptable
Romans 14:1 and 3 tell us to accept each other, "without passing judgment on disputable matters." As well, Romans 15:7 says, "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God."
2. I am valuable
Luke 12:24 reminds us to "consider the ravens: they do not reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!" Who are you to argue with God about your worth? HE says you're valuable!
3. I am lovable
Look at this beautiful love letter: "'Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,' says the Lord, who has compassion on you" (Isaiah 54:10). Not even YOU can do anything to make God stop loving you. What a great promise!
4. I am forgivable
This one is hard because I see the stark contrast between my sins and God's holiness. Still, He promises: "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more" (Isaiah 43:25).
5. I am capable
Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Everything — not just some things! Draw from that strength today!
Ann-Margret Hovsepian is a full-time freelance writer, editor and desktop publisher based in Montreal, Canada. Her web site is: www.annhovsepian.com
Originally published in Temple News, September 1997
