The world tells me who I am–and who I am not–every single day. Sometimes I find it difficult to navigate through the negative, and I get bogged down by expectations that have been established for me.
You’re not as pretty as that girl over there. You’re not as intelligent as that coworker over there. You’ll never be able to run as fast as that girl who just passed by you on the trail. You don’t know God as well as those other women at church.
These things are not true, of course. They are little lies that steep in my mind–getting stronger each day like a tea bag that has been left in the mug for too long–shaping my view of myself. Like a carnival mirror, they reflect a poor image of who I am, and easily leave me believing my eyes. But God’s Word is true, and it shines back at me with a perfect reflection.
A few weeks ago while I was in Malibu launching our new chapter of Wonderfully Made at Pepperdine, I ran into a woman at Malibu Presbyterian Church who I adore and greatly admire and she gave me a copy of Nancy Stafford’s “Beauty by the Book: Seeing Yourself as God Sees You.” Today I want to share with you the truth that God shines back at you through the mirror of His Word, as taken from Nancy’s book. I hope that it will be a firm reminder of your true identity, and how deeply loved and valued you are!
- I am His own. (1 Samuel 12:22)
- He sees my heart. (1 Samuel 16:7)
- He heals me. (2 Kings 20:5)
- He makes me glad with the joy of His presence. (Psalm 27:4)
- I will gaze upon the beauty of the Lord forever. (Psalm 27:4)
- He will never forsake me. (Psalm 27:10)
- He is near me. (Psalm 34:18)
- He is enthralled by my beauty. (Psalm 45:11)
- He rescues me. (Psalm 91:14)
- He crowns me with love and compassion. (Psalm 103:4)
- He satisfies my hunger with good things. (Psalm 107:9)
- I am wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)
- I speak words of life to others. (Proverbs 15:4)
- I belong to Him (Song of Songs 7:10)
- He bears my pain. (Isaiah 53:4)
- He gives me a crown of beauty instead of ashes. (Isaiah 61:3)
- He wraps me in a robe of righteousness. (Isaiah 61:10)
- He calls me by a new name. (Isaiah 62:2)
- He crowns me with splendor. (Isaiah 62:3)
- I am His workmanship. (Isaiah 64:8)
- He knows me. (Jeremiah 1:5)
- I bear His name. (Jeremiah 14:9)
- He loves me with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3)
- He speaks tenderly to me. (Hosea 2:14)
- He dresses me in rich garments. (Zechariah 3:4)
- He takes me to a quiet place and gives me rest. (Mark 6:31)
- He gives me treasure in heaven. (Luke 12:33)
- He does not judge me by appearances. (John 7:24)
- He sets me free. (John 8:36)
- I am chosen. (John 15:19)
- I reap holiness and eternal life. (Romans 6:22)
- I am accepted in the Beloved. (Romans 15:7)
- He sees me as I am. (2 Corinthians 3:16)
- He turns my hardship to glory. (2 Corinthians 4:17)
- He clothes me with Himself. (Galatians 3:27)
- He delivers me. (Galatians 5:1)
- He gives me power. (Ephesians 1:19)
- He redeems my past. (Philippians 3:13)
- He gives me hope. (2 Thess. 2:16)
- He encourages my heart. (2 Thess. 2:17)
- He sympathizes with my weakness. (Hebrews 4:15)
- He gives me everything I need. (2 Peter 1:3)
Does any of this resonate with you? Which mirror are you looking into?
In Love,
Natalie
