REdefining Me

Ugly.

Fat.

Stupid.

Loser.

Idiot.

Reject.

Worthless.

Unloveable.

Not enough.

Do these sound familiar? They do for me. Those are names we have all given to ourselves or have heard given to us at some point or another. We have somehow allowed ourselves to think that believing these things about ourselves is ok. Well, it’s not and I’m going to tell you why.

First of all, we know that Hollywood and pretty much every other media put emphasis on the outward more than the inward,  and we know that inner beauty is more important right?  Right. However, a lot of times as women and christian women, although we know this in our heads, we allow ourselves to be deceived by the lies of the world and the lies of Satan. Satan is bombarding us girls with the lie that we are simply not good enough. Whether “not good enough” means .. not pretty enough, not skinny enough, not smart enough, not funny enough….whatever it might be Satan wants us to believe that we are not good enough to be loved.

We let so many other things define us. Hollywood and magazines get to define us as imperfect, ugly, and fat. We let our peers define us, especially as girls, always comparing ourselves to those around us- girls who are prettier, and funny, and smarter than us. We most definitely get definitions from the men in our lives- fathers, boyfriends, or husbands. If they are nice to us- we feel good and worthy; but, when they treat us badly, it can have devastating results. We even give ourselves definitions that are completely inaccurate.

So, we put a bandaid on our insecurity issues by trying to muster up self-confidence, trying to “fit in,” or trying to catch the attention of men with our bodies to try make us feel better about ourselves. Still, that satisfaction only lasts until those friends or men fail to make us love what is inside ourselves.

So easily we buy into the lie that the world has something “on us” and that we need to measure up physically to the standard it has set for us girls. Well, guess what? Your worth does not come from the number on the scale, how your body looks today, how many boys check you out, how hot your boyfriend is, or what you do together. It doesn’t come from how many “friends” you have on facebook or how many “likes” your status gets. It doesn’t come from your parents who never seem to be proud of you no matter what you do. It doesn’t come from your job, or your clothes, or your kids.

Girls, your worth comes from the One who created you, and has already defined you.

So how can we change this deceptive perception? how can we let God redefine who we are and how we view our worth?

First, we have to throw off the definitions that the world has given us. Girls, the world does not appreciate you for who you are. Most people do not recognize the worth that is found in you because you are a daughter of Jesus Christ. You are made in His image, and you are the very place in which the Holy Spirit resides.

…Just like someone who does not recognize or appreciate fine art would toss a masterpiece into the trash. Would that make the art any less valuable? No! The true worth of the art would be seen when an art collector spots the painting and says, “That right there is a priceless piece, and I am willing to pay any amount to acquire it!” That is exactly what Jesus says when He looks at you. Wow. Can you believe God loves us that much? It’s true! He believes one soul to be worth more than the whole world. He left the splendor of heaven, came to the earth, lived 33 years, died on a cross, and rose from the grave JUST to pursue you. You are THAT valuable to Him. If that doesn’t change the way you see yourself and treat yourself,  I don’t know what will.

Jesus Christ is so beautiful, and when we find our identity in Him alone, we are defined with HIS beauty. Is there anything more beautiful than Jesus? Nope… i promise. Get to know Him, and you will know what I mean.

So maybe we have friends and family who call us lovely names- beautiful, wonderful, smart, loving- but there are times when these words are not enough. When they don’t make us feel better when we are hurt, or lonely, or rejected. We need something more, and that is why we have to take on the definitions of Jesus Christ… DAILY. Did you know that God has defined you already? Yep! These are the definitions that declare who we as women ARE in Christ. Not who we are becoming or who we aspire to be. God says right now at this moment you ARE beautiful, and radiant, and confident, and worthy, and loved.

Don’t believe me? Here are just a FEW….

You are Confident.

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrew 4:16

You are God’s delight.

The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

You are the Daughter of God.

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. Romans 8:15-16

You are made perfectly by God’s Hand.

For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Psalm 139:13-14

You are Loved.

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 1 John 3:1

The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. Jeremiah 31:3

When we embrace these names that our God gives to us rather than the definitions of the world, we learn to see ourselves the way God does. God loves us beyond measure and looks on us with pride when we serve Him. We are his beautiful, precious daughters.

So, whatever definitions you struggle with, I want you to take it completely out of your mind and heart, find a Bible verse, and embrace one of God’s names for yourself. Define yourself totally and radically by God’s words as one LOVED by the heart of your God. Write it in your Bible, and on your mirror, and in your car… somewhere you can see it everyday. You are so precious and beautiful in God’s eyes. All we have to do is embrace His definitions, and then, we can begin to redefine ourselves.