9 Oct – How’s your self-esteem (pt 2)

Accepting ourselves doesn’t mean we love everything about what we do and say, or even that we embrace our mistakes and flaws. It simply means that if we do make a mistake (and everyone does) that we know it’s okay and we don’t keep on “beating” ourselves up about it and consequently start thinking and believing that we are less than God says we are.

A trap people can also fall into is to develop a defensive attitude of, “this is how I am, I’m not going to change, so people can either like it or lump it”. Whereas God actually encourages us to “be transformed by the renewing of our minds” and that we, “go from glory to glory as we behold His glory. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

“So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord – who is the Spirit – makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image”. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will”. (Romans 12:2)

Self acceptance doesn’t mean we never seek to improve or change anything about who we are. Instead acceptance means we are free to choose to make quality decisions to develop personally and keep growing. It means being honest about what’s really in our hearts and what God says about our lives and then making decisions based on that, rather than being driven to do things because of feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.

Today be honest about what is in your heart, and talk to God about it. Challenge and choose not to listen to the negative, fearful dialogue in your head, or of those who seek to put you down. Instead make some quality decisions based on what God has placed in your heart and who He says you are in His Word so you keep moving forward.

Prayer: Lord help me to recognise what is in my heart, and that instead of listening to any negatives I will believe what you say about my life and therefore make quality decisions to keep growing and developing. In Jesus name Amen