Do you ever have those days where you wish you were someone else? Where you wish you weren’t the way you are? Those days where you are just so frustrated with yourself ? Yea.. I have those days often.
I often struggle so much with the girl that I wish I could be and the girl that I currently am. To the point that at times I feel like the best option is to just isolate myself from others and be miserable.. ( I know it sounds dramatic, but it’s the truth)
But, I’ve learned that being by myself all the time is not God’s will for his children. I know that he didn’t create me to just live day by day miserably. I know that he came for me to have life and life more abundantly.
“ The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10
I’ve also learned that these moments of being uncomfortable/ unsatisfied are just God pruning me of all those things that are not like him and his way of pulling me into his presence.
“ I have refined you, but not as silver is refined. Rather, I have refined you in the furnace of suffering.” Isaiah 48:10
If you can’t tell by now I have struggled in the past with my self esteem . Not really of my physical appearance (well except for those stubborn hurtful cystic pimples) but mostly on the inside. Mostly of how I view myself (personality, intelligence etc).
I’m learning (not perfect , never will be ) that the only way to truly over come low self esteem is by getting up out of my feelings and spending time with God. Trust me I know its so hard in those moments but you have to do it!!
I know not everyone reading this might be a Christian or others might not know how to spend time with God… But, you can start of by going on Google and typing things like,” What does the bible say about _________” or Bible verses about ___________.(For example type “ Bible verses about God’s love” or” What does the bible say about Jesus?”) Also you can download the bible app and start from there. Btw, always remember to pray before reading the bible.
As I was previously saying ,once you spend time with God and his word you start to realize that all those negative things that you’ve been telling yourself are nothing like the word of God. You start to recognize that everything that you’ve been telling yourself is straight from the enemy. And we all know that the enemy is a loser, is already defeated, and has no real POWER. “You … have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.”1 John 4:4
The enemy doesn’t want us to live out the purpose for our lives.He honestly believes in us more than we sometimes believe in our selves, that’s why he attacks us so much. He is jealous of all of the benefits that we have as God’s children and he will try to do anything to keep us away from having that intimate relationship with God and fulfilling God’s purpose for our lives.
Yes, God has a plan and a purpose for each and everyone of us (regardless of how you feel) ever since we were in our mother’s womb.
“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5
God’s plans for us can’t occur if we continue to have a negative view of ourselves .Sometimes we might hate our personalities but God still wants to use us with that personality to bring someone to him. You might hate your smile but God can use that smile to bring someone to him. God wants to use all of us in order to bring HIM glory its not about us at all. So lets try to forget about ourselves a little bit more and concentrate more on what he wants us to do.
“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.” Colossians 3:1-4
By the way I’m no expert on this topic .. I’m honestly learning day by day. Remember we are in this together ?
A few tips:
- Do research on what God says about you in his word.
- Look in the mirror and smile and tell yourself nice things. Ex: “ Wow. You look great today .” “ You are a great person !” (I know this sounds silly but it works .Lol )
- Go outside. Take a walk. I’ve learned that when I feel kind of sad sometimes I just need a breath of fresh air in a different place.
- Wake up and tell yourself that today you will have Joy and that it will be a good day.
- Remember that the world does not revolve around you and there’s more to worry about than yourself.
A few scriptures:
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Phillipians 4:8-10
“What sorrow awaits those who argue with their Creator. Does a clay pot argue with its maker? Does the clay dispute with the one who shapes it, saying, ‘Stop, you’re doing it wrong!’ Does the pot exclaim, ‘How clumsy can you be?’ Isaiah 45:9
“So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” Mathew 10:31
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2
“Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand” (Isaiah 64:8).
Also check out this really HELPFUL website I found that speaks about seeing yourself how God sees you. Please check it out: http://www.relationshipskills.com/images/Ten_Areas_of_Self_Esteem_in_the_Scriptures.pdf
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So what do you do when you’re feeling down about yourself ?
Love ,
Giselle Parris
Any questions email me at gparris13@gmail.com
The Apple of God’s Eye.. 