...Who is the fairest of them all? Admit it: when you looked in the mirror this morning, your first observation was critical. Psychologists tell us, as women, our strongest basic need is affirmation. We know, ourselves, our greatest battle has everything to do with our need to belong -- to feel worthy. In all of this, we see that our worst enemy is right there--in the mirror.
The truth is, you have an intrinsic value that cannot be diminished. A young lady I knew and loved like a daughter (she went to be with the Lord unexpectedly at the age of 18) struggled with her self-worth for years. Abandoned by her father, then later abused, Rachel felt worthless, until she found her identity in Christ. His love healed the years of hurt and self-loathing. She thrived and grew into a tremendous young leader in the @LadiesofHonor, and one of her favorite lessons to the younger girls involved a brilliant illustration. She would take a $20 bill, and ask the class, "What is this? How much is it worth?" The answer was, of course $20. Next, she crumpled it up, and holding it up again, asked, "Now, how much is it worth?." The answer, again, was $20. Then, she would throw it on the ground and violently stomp it until it was crumpled, flattened, and a little torn and ragged. She picked it up, "NOW, how much is it worth?" Still $20!. The message was this: It doesn't matter what's been done to you, or how badly you're damaged - you are still worth just as much as if you were brand new, pristine, clean, and untouched by anything.
2 Corinthians 12:9 -- His grace is sufficient. Stop beating yourself up over every shortcoming and every mistake.
Colossians 2:10 -- You are complete in Him. Your value is not dependent on what others think of you, or even what you think of yourself.
Philippians 1:6 -- God, who began the good work in you, will continue his work until it is finally finished. God's not done with you yet--so there's no way he's going to give up on you.
A few years ago, Dove launched a campaign on "Real Beauty." When you have some quiet time, google and watch the video called "Sketches." Then reflect, ruminate, realize the truth that lies deeper than just what YOU see.
Mirror, mirror, I am not inferior, in any way. I am complete. I am priceless. I have a purpose, I am resolved, right now, to find and fulfill it.
Thank From the winding ascent of Black Snake Road through the mountains of Arkansas to the many breathtaking overlook points in the Rockies in Colorado, you’ll find miles and miles of guardrails. Like sentries marching alongside the road, they stand as barriers between the safe and level asphalt and a sometimes cavernous drop into the depths below. We don’t question guardrails on roads like that. N fact, when we see a potentially treacherous road without them, we wonder why they aren’t there. Yet we have a desire to careen carelessly through life, without boundaries or barriers — without commandments. This is a hard thing to convey — that the God whose mercies are new every morning and whose love stretches to the skies also has rules. But like little children, we stretch out our little hand and touch what he’s already told us “no—that’s hot,” and then we are angry with Him because we got burned. It’s not from tyranny that He says “don’t” or puts up guardrai...
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