I believe that the enemy of your soul (Satan) desires you to be “down” on yourself. He would have you to believe that you are not important or of value or competent. We are constantly bombarded with the lies of the enemy. The great need is to see ourselves as God does and to think His thoughts toward ourselves and toward one another. Let’s reflect a few moments on some of the facts our Lord would have us to consider. first of all, God loves us deeply. He has proven His love to us by sending His Son to die for us so that we could return to God through Him for all eternity. That means God wants us to be with Him – John 17:24. Isn’t that neat!!! Obviously, we must be of great value to Him for Him to go to such length to have us with Him forever! Secondly, once we have returned to God, He declares us to be His children – 1 John 3:1-2. Now, if you have children, you know what you think of them.
They are very special to you. You are very special to Him, and His care is always toward you. It is a great honor to be a member of His family! Thirdly, look how He has provided for you for so many years. How many meals have you eaten? How many needs has He supplied for you? The good things He has bestowed upon you are more than you will ever number or show gratitude for. He is good and every good thing you have received in your life is from above – James 1:17-18. Fourthly, He has made plans for your life from before the creation of the world. In Christ He has purposed to accomplish all that He has planned for this creation and the creation to come. He is the Head of all things, and we are His body. It is now through us (you and me) that God will complete His revealing of Himself. Think of this! Look at Ephesians 1:10; 2:7; 3:10. Could you enter into a more important plan? God delights in Christ and in all His children. We are precious to Him.
Even our sins and failures have not caused God to turn away from His plans for us. No, He wants you and me to be His own possession for all eternity. I, too, often feel very unworthy of such love and acceptance, yet I have grown to appreciate Him even more because He loves the unlovely (me!). What grace! How dare we doubt the good purpose of God in Christ! In ourselves we are nothing, but joined to Christ we are everything God intends for us to be! We are entirely in Christ, lacking nothing – Colossians 2:9-10. In Christ we are entirely and eternally accepted by God – Ephesians 1:6; John 6:37. He Who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. His promise is to conform us to the very image of His son. See Philippians 1:6 and Romans 8:28-30.
You see, our worth and significance are to be measured by His thoughts of us and not the thoughts of others who are significant in our lives or our own thoughts. He is telling us the truth. We must believe Him. Our interpretive faculties have been greatly marred by the fall. Looking at ourselves in our present circumstances may cause us to misinterpret the truth of why we are here and where we are going. Others do not help us because they, too, suffer under the same weaknesses as we do. We must look solely to Jesus. There we find the truth about ourselves and about God. “Bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” 2 Corinthians 10:5
The great need is to see ourselves as God does and to think His thoughts toward ourselves and toward one another. In ourselves we are nothing, but joined to Christ we are everything God intends for us to be! We are entirely in Christ, lacking nothing – Col 2:9-10. In Christ we are entirely and eternally accepted by God – Eph 1:6; John 6:37. He Who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ – Philippians 1:6.
Look At What God Says in His Word:
Actions to Appreciate
1. He is concerned about me. Jeremiah 29:11
2. He is concerned about me. Psalm 40:5
3. He values me. Luke 12:7
4. He values me. Isaiah 43:4
5. He encourages me. Isaiah 49:13
6. He encourages me. II Corinthians 1:3, 4
7. He accepts me. Matthew 11:28, 29
8. He accepts me. Jeremiah 31:3
9. He desires fellowship with me. Song of Solomon 2:14
10. He desires fellowship with me. Zephaniah 3:17
11. He protects me. Psalm 31:3,4
12. He protects me. Psalm 41:2
Attitudes to Adopt
13. I am a unique creation. Genesis 1:27
14. I am a unique creation. Psalm 139:13, 14
15. I am a child of God. Romans 8:15
16. I am a child of God. I John 3:1
17. I am bought & paid for. I Peter 1:18, 19
18. I am bought & paid for. Revelation 5:9
19. I am equal with others. Romans 10:12
20. I am equal with others. Galatians 3:28
21. I am precious to God. Luke 12:24
22. I am precious to God. I Peter 2:4
23. I am satisfied with myself. Romans 9:20
24. I am satisfied with myself. Philippians 1:6
Anxieties to Avoid
25. Fear of failure Isaiah 41:10
26. Fear of failure Deuteronomy 31:8
27. Fear of others Psalm 56:3, 4
28. Fear of others Psalm 118:6
29. Fear of being transparent II Corinthians 6:11-13
30. Fear of being transparent Ephesians 4:25
31. Fear of rejection by men John 5:44
32. Fear of rejection by men Galatians 1:10
33. Fear of being inferior I Corinthians 12:23
34. Fear of being inferior Psalm 113:7,8
35. Fear of suffering Matthew 5:10
36. Fear of suffering I Peter 5:10
Things to Know and Meditate On (This is how God sees you, and faith looks at life and lives life through God’s eyes.)
1. You are valuable Luke 12:24
2. You are precious 1 Peter 2:4
3. You are chosen 1 Peter 2:4, 9
4. You are righteous 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 5:1
5. You are accepted Ephesians 1:6; John 6:37
6. You are loved John 3:16
7. You are seated in heavenly places Ephesians 2:6; Colossians 3:1-4
8. You are secure John 10:28-29; Romans 8:33-39
9. You are a saint 1 Corinthians 1:2
10. You are a royal priest 1 Peter 2:5; Revelations 1:6
11. No one can bring a charge against you in God’s kingdom Revelations 12:10-11; Romans 8:33
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