"But let him who boasts, boast in the Lord. For it is not the one who commedns himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends."
~ 2 Corinthians 10:16,17
There are so many things that God is telling us through this verse. The possiblilites are endless. I could write so many things about this one verse. Today I choose to write about self - esteem. That's right, self esteem. It seems that in this day and age so many people struggle with their own self image. It seems that there is so much to live up to in a world that highly values success, looks, brains, talent, etc. People are continually looking for approval from others. Things that can lift their spirit a little and make them feel like they are a commendable person. Something that puts them on the same playing field with everyone else.
I used to be like this, and still am at times. I would become eaisly discouraged and would search. I would strain to find someone who would encourage me, explaining that I was doing something right. I would then pat myself on the back, come to the conclusion that what I had done was commendable, only to long to know that I was doing well in things other than that one solitary instance.
This way of thinking was doubley piercing to me, and it is to you as well. First of all, it causes low self-image, and that is not what God intended. He created each one of us lovingly with His own hands. We are all special to Him just the way we are. If we cannot see the precious creation that we are in Gods eyes, we cannot fully love ourselves, therefore, we cannot love others commpletely.
Secondly, we are judgeing ourselves by the standards of this world. "Am I commendable in our eyes and the eyes of others?" we ask ourselves. If we answer yes, we move on with a feeling of accomplishment, and if we say no, we hang our heads and strive to achieve a better level of acceptance. Yet the question we should be asking is "Am I commendable in the eyes of God?" If this is the only question we ask ourselves, we are headed in the right direction. No longer do we have to question our self-worth. If we are makeing God happy and are following His plan, that is all that matters. If we ask this question, we no longer have to worry about the world getting in the way. So we may not live up to the standards of the world, and we may, who knows. The only important thing is that we continually boast in the Lord in all that we do, so that His name be exaulted in all that we do.
Lord, please help me to live my life for you, and for you only today. Help me to see how precious I am in your sight. Help me to worry only about your acceptance, and not worldly acceptance. I pray that all I do can bring glory and honor to You, not to me.
~ 2 Corinthians 10:16,17
There are so many things that God is telling us through this verse. The possiblilites are endless. I could write so many things about this one verse. Today I choose to write about self - esteem. That's right, self esteem. It seems that in this day and age so many people struggle with their own self image. It seems that there is so much to live up to in a world that highly values success, looks, brains, talent, etc. People are continually looking for approval from others. Things that can lift their spirit a little and make them feel like they are a commendable person. Something that puts them on the same playing field with everyone else.
I used to be like this, and still am at times. I would become eaisly discouraged and would search. I would strain to find someone who would encourage me, explaining that I was doing something right. I would then pat myself on the back, come to the conclusion that what I had done was commendable, only to long to know that I was doing well in things other than that one solitary instance.
This way of thinking was doubley piercing to me, and it is to you as well. First of all, it causes low self-image, and that is not what God intended. He created each one of us lovingly with His own hands. We are all special to Him just the way we are. If we cannot see the precious creation that we are in Gods eyes, we cannot fully love ourselves, therefore, we cannot love others commpletely.
Secondly, we are judgeing ourselves by the standards of this world. "Am I commendable in our eyes and the eyes of others?" we ask ourselves. If we answer yes, we move on with a feeling of accomplishment, and if we say no, we hang our heads and strive to achieve a better level of acceptance. Yet the question we should be asking is "Am I commendable in the eyes of God?" If this is the only question we ask ourselves, we are headed in the right direction. No longer do we have to question our self-worth. If we are makeing God happy and are following His plan, that is all that matters. If we ask this question, we no longer have to worry about the world getting in the way. So we may not live up to the standards of the world, and we may, who knows. The only important thing is that we continually boast in the Lord in all that we do, so that His name be exaulted in all that we do.
Lord, please help me to live my life for you, and for you only today. Help me to see how precious I am in your sight. Help me to worry only about your acceptance, and not worldly acceptance. I pray that all I do can bring glory and honor to You, not to me.
