What Others See in Us

So often I don’t see myself the way others see me.

When someone takes the time to tell me something they like about me—how I look, a talent I have, or the way I handled a situation, I don’t always receive it graciously.

May I ask, how do you receive a compliment?

Do you say “thank you” and allow the kind words to seep in and warm your heart? Or do you dismiss the praise and offer reasons why it cannot be true?

For example:

“You look nice today.”

(eye roll) “Ugh, my hair is a mess.”

“You handled that meeting well.”

“Yea, right. I didn’t know what I was doing.”

I’ve done both, but until recently I didn’t realize what the second one, the denial, says to the other person.

When someone makes a point to tell me something they like about me and I respond by pointing out my imperfections, I’m basically telling the other person that what he or she thinks is wrong. It’s like saying, “Your opinion doesn’t matter because this is the way I see myself.”

So, what are we telling God when we can’t or won’t receive and believe what He says about us?

I hate to think of the times I’ve questioned what God sees in me. Have I really been telling Him what He thinks doesn’t matter?

God doesn’t tell us what He thinks we want to hear. When He makes a promise, He keeps it. Always. When He says something, it’s Truth. Period. His Word backs it up.

God says He loves us—so much so that He sacrificed His Only Son for us. What are we saying when we think we’ve gone too far and He must no longer love us?

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39 NLT)

He says we are His children—chosen and adopted into His family. How can we continue to live otherwise?

…you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:15 NLT)

He says we are forgiven—washed clean through His Son, Jesus, yet we continue to live in sin and guilt.

…if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous.  He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world. (1 John 2:1-2 NLT)

I am writing to you who are God’s children because your sins have been forgiven through Jesus. (1 John 2:12 NLT)

God’s Word says we are created in His image, but we disregard this and continue to criticize ourselves.

So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27 NLT)

My friends, God sees in us what we don’t see. He knows what we don’t know about ourselves. Will you join me today in accepting what God says about you? Don’t dismiss it or turn away. Soak it in, believe it, and say “thank you.”

Thanks for joining me here today. We are in Chapter 10 “Do You Know I Am Ordinary?...He Is My King and Father” of Do You Know Who I Am? by Angela Thomas.

In Christ,

Laura

Linking up with On Your Heart Tuesday, Just Write, Women Living Well Wednesdays, Word Filled Wednesday, Grace Cafe, Faith Filled Friday, Spiritual Sundays, and MODsquad Cafe.