Recently, I spoke with a friend whose teenage daughter is struggling. When a therapist asked her daughter to name some of her own best qualities, her daughter couldn’t think of one. Hearing this pained me. My friend’s daughter is kind, beautiful, smart, athletic and artistically gifted. She absolutely has it all. Yet when this young lady looks in the mirror, she doesn’t see what I see.

She is not alone. Many of us are far too hard on ourselves. When we look in the mirror, we focus on our few flaws, and we ignore our many God-given gifts and talents. Instead of remembering the positive feedback that we’ve been given throughout our lives, we remember the few moments of harsh criticism that we have received.

But God doesn’t see us that way. God sees each of us as his beautiful creation. He created each one of us with unique gifts and talents. His only goal is for us to use those talents to improve the world. That is why we are here.

God knows we have flaws, and He does not judge us for them. Our flaws are what make us human. And they are not a bad thing! Our flaws can be for our benefit. When we have to battle to subdue our flaws, we become better people. For instance, if I have to battle anxiety or insecurity, I will be far more compassionate toward others with mental health issues because I know how difficult that can be. Or, if I have to battle overeating, I won’t judge others who put on a little weight because I know that controlling one’s appetite can be difficult. If we have the right attitude, our flaws can help us become more emotionally mature and kind.

So, we need to view ourselves through God’s eyes. His is the only opinion that matters, and His is the right opinion. The problem is this: How do we know how God sees us? The best way to learn how God sees you is to pray and meditate on His Word.

Below are some verses from the Bible to help you better understand how God sees you. Take a verse each day and spend 10 minutes meditating on it. Say the verse over and over again to yourself until it becomes part of your being.

You Are Chosen: “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” John 15:16

You Are Wonderfully Made: “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14

You Are Precious: “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Luke 12: 6-7

Your Life Has A Purpose: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10

Your Challenges Are There to Make You Even Better: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4

You Are Strong in Christ: “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:37-39

This week, try using God as your mirror. Don’t view yourself through either your own lens, or the lens of your parents, friends or spouse. Instead, see yourself as God sees you! He carefully created you. You are His handiwork. He endowed you with gifts and talents for one purpose – to make the world a better place. Focus on those gifts and fulfill your purpose.

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