Do you ever have moments when you second guess your worth? Or when you hear something said about you and you know deep down it’s not true but hearing it vocalized is just affirmation for a fear deep inside you?
I came across a post on social media today describing me as “weird and ugly”.
I instantly felt cold and my hands began to shake. Knowing those words were said didn’t hurt me nearly as bad as knowing how they were said; for all to see. For a split second I believed them. I even looked back through pictures to affirm whether they were true! (What!?) This is what Satan does. He preys on our weaknesses because he’s cunning, because “he prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8). I know the words of 1 Peter. I believe them in my heart. Yet, Satan also knows me and he wants so badly for me to believe his lies.
Have you felt this before? Have you ever been on the brink of believing something you know to be false? Has someone said something hurtful that cut you deeply to the core?
Me too, friend. Me too.
But we have hope.
Within a couple of minutes I felt the reassurance of the Holy Spirit and a thought came to mind almost immediately, “She may think that and she can, but that’s not what I think of you.”
Wait, what? She may think that. And she can. But that’s not what I think of you?
It was like the truth just smacked me in the face.
Of course!
That’s not what the Lord thinks of me and it’s not what He thinks of you; this is how I know.
First and foremost because Genesis 1:27 tells me I have been created in His image. I think we all need that to resonate for a second. We, human beings, have ALL been created in HIS image; male and female. Why do we always forget about that?
But that’s not all. There’s more. So much more but I’ll leave you with just a few examples.
John 1:2 says I am a child of God.
Romans 8:17 says I am a fellow heir with Christ.
1 Corinthians 6:19 says my body is a temple and the Holy Spirit dwells in me.
Ephesians 1:7 says I have been redeemed and forgiven by the grace of Christ.
Philippians 3:20 says I am a citizen of heaven.
Colossians 2:10 says I am made complete in Christ.
Psalm 139:14 says I have been fearfully and wonderfully made.
1 John 3:16 says Jesus loved me so much He laid down His life for me.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 says the Lord made everything beautiful in it’s time.
Proverbs 3:15 says I am more precious than rubies.
Proverbs 31:30 says if I fear the Lord I am to be praised.
And lastly,
Song of Songs 4:7 says I am altogether beautiful.
We are beautiful in His eyes because we are His. And frankly, that’s all that matters. Does it mean words won’t ever hurt again? Absolutely not! We fight battles in our mind on the daily. But here’s what I know:
As quickly as the attack came on, it was gone.
Once I felt that tug of the Holy Spirit, I listened (that’s not always what happens by the way! I know I need to listen more often and that’s another story for another day). But, as soon as I held onto that thought, my mind immediately went to scripture. And there it was, written for me to see, just how loved I am to Him, the creator of the Universe. The Alpha and Omega. King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
His opinion is the only one that matters. I just need to remember it and as Psalm 119:11 says, keep it hidden in my heart.
If you struggle with this or have ever struggled with it, please know you’re never alone and you are beautiful regardless of what anyone says.
For more encouragement, listen to Lauren Daigle’s new song “You Say”. You won’t be sorry.
