Name 5 things that you love about yourself.
This was not a question. Sitting in front of me were three of my close friends telling me to speak out loud not one, but FIVE things that I love about myself.
Why did they tell me to do this at that very moment… when I was at my most vulnerable point… overwhelmed, sad, frustrated; my insecurities rising to the surface. It hurt. There is no other way to put it. And why was this such a hard thing for me to answer?
Minutes before all of this happened I had ended a difficult phone call and was struggling. It brought about insecurities and bitterness that I had compressed.
“God created us as complex creatures, capable of feeling and sensing a whole garden of emotions.”
That was me. Sitting there in the middle of a restaurant in a busy city in Nepal, crying and upset with myself.
Not many of you know but at the beginning of this mission trip, I was asked to lead a team of 6. I remember praying and asking God if this was what He wanted me to do. He said yes. But inside, I couldn’t understand why. “Why me? I have so much growing that needs to take place before you can use me for something like this.”
This was the main reason for the tears. I was stuck believing I had to ‘do/earn,’ change, and be better for Him to use me. But I’m never going to be perfect and (without completely realizing it) that is what I was striving for. I was trying to earn His love and do better before anything else. But in all reality, God can use anyone. There are many examples of this in the Bible; Paul being one of them! At the beginning of Paul’s life he was persecuting Christians and after an encounter with Jesus He ended up following Him and spreading the Gospel and doing amazing things for the Kingdom; ALL for Gods glory!
Back to the 5 things. My friend Juliana patiently waited while I thought for some time how to respond to what she had said. It turned out to be extremely refreshing and freeing. I’m thankful that God new I couldn’t hang on to these things any longer and that He brought both light and truth into my life through my friends. 🙂
If you’re struggling with similar things I want to encourage you to step into this and speak out loud some things that you love about yourself. I know I’ve said this before and many of you already know, but I love reading in Scripture what God says about you and I as well! He loves us SO MUCH!
Thanks for reading! (Below are verses that God says about each of us) Enjoy! 🙂
Who I Am in Christ
I Am Accepted
John 1:12 I am God’s child.
John 15:15 I am Christ’s friend.
Romans 5:1 I have been justified.
1 Corinthians 6:17 I am united with the Lord, and I am one spirit with Him.
1 Corinthians 6:20 I have been bought with a price. I belong to God.
1 Corinthians 12:27 I am a member of Christ’s Body.
Ephesians 1:1 I am a saint.
Ephesians 1:5 I have been adopted as God’s child.
Ephesians 2:18 I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit.
Colossians 1:14 I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins.
Colossians 2:10 I am complete in Christ.
I Am Secure
Romans 8:1-2 I am free from condemnation.
Romans 8:28 I am assured all things work together for good.
Romans 8:31-34 I am free from any condemning charges against me.
Romans 8:35-39 I cannot be separated from the love of God.
2 Corinthians 1:21-22 I have been established, anointed and sealed by God.
Philippians 1:6 I am confident that the good work God has begun in me will be perfected.
Philippians 3:20 I am a citizen of heaven.
Colossians 3:3 I am hidden with Christ in God.
2 Timothy 1:7 I have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.
Hebrews 4:16 I can find grace and mercy in time of need.
1 John 5:18 I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me.
I Am Significant
Matthew 5:13-14 I am the salt and light of the earth.
John 15:1,5 I am a branch of the true vine, a channel of His life.
John 15:16 I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit.
Acts 1:8 I am a personal witness of Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:16 I am God’s temple.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 I am a minister of reconciliation for God.
2 Corinthians 6:1 I am God’s coworker (see 1 Corinthians 3:9).
Ephesians 2:6 I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realm.
Ephesians 2:10 I am God’s workmanship.
Ephesians 3:12 I may approach God with freedom and confidence.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
