We’ve all read at least one book or article about Self Love. A few I’ve read give advice about reflecting on the past and forgiving yourself and moving on from it.
So I took the advice. But I would always end up right back at the self help aisle. I remember one particular instance I reached my limit. Something needed to change. A line needed to be drawn in the sand.
So in my quest to try a new strategy I tried 3 approaches:
- I wrote down the type of woman I wanted to be. What were her thoughts? How did she spend her time? What did she wear? What did she eat? Who did she date?
- I read- Tony Robbins Awaken the Giant and Jen Sincero’s You are a Bada**, How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life!
- I prayed, prayed, and prayed some more. I didn’t even know what I was praying for in the moment, but I asked God for His spirit of power love and a sound mind. To make me more like Him.
In doing this the answer came to me: I AM NOT that little girl anymore.
The minute I surrendered my heart to God I was born again in His image.
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.- 2 Corinthians 5:17
This realization gave me freedom to ditch my past and start hanging out and getting to know my “new self” aka the woman God sees when He looks at me. I discovered she’s Fierce! Fearless, lovely, gentle, thoughtful, self- disciplined, and poised.
The more I became aware of the woman God created resting deep inside my soul- the more life opened up: I started loving myself and was open to receiving that love right back, I cried of happiness for the first time ever, I focused more on talking myself into things rather than talking myself out of them, I took responsible risks, I dreamed, I took action towards making those dreams a reality, I lived vulnerably, I took things less personally, I stopped living so much in the future/past and focused more on the present, and I felt God’s favor and presence upon my life.
This is a feeling I wish for everyone.
All that being said it doesn’t mean the enemy doesn’t try to remind me of that “little girl” every once in awhile. But even in those moments, I try my best to remember that no thought/feeling/lie from the enemy changes who I am in God and His thoughts towards me.
As a first step, I encourage you to start seeing yourself in the same mirror that God sees you in by repeating these verses out loud every day:
“Whenever you feel unloved, unimportant, or insecure, remember to whom you belong.” Ephesians 2:19-22
“She is clothed with strength and dignity,
and she laughs without fear of the future”- Proverbs 31:25
“Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Proverbs 31:30
“It is not fancy hair, gold jewelry, or fine clothes that should make you beautiful. No, your beauty should come from inside you –the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. That beauty will never disappear and it is worth very much to God.” 1 Peter 3:3-4
“By the grace of God, I am what I am.” 1 Corinthians 15:10
“You are beautiful for you are fearfully and wonderfully made.” Psalm 139:14
From my heart to yours,
Grace
