Do you ever struggle with believing that you are loved, and loveable? Do you look in the mirror and see only your imperfections? Do you recount the ways you should be a better parent, a better wife, a better friend, a better everything? Do you often compare yourself to others who seem to have it more together? Do you let your past and weaknesses define your worth, or let others’ views of you define your value? If you do, it is crucial that you take the time to understand the way God sees you. When you understand and believe what he says about you, it changes everything.
God sees each of us as precious, created just as we were intended to be. He planned for us to be different from each other in many ways—as varied as the unique parts of our body—so that we would understand our need for each other (1 Corinthians 12:12–27).
Despite God’s design and plan for our lives, many women struggle with believing that we are objects of God’s affection. What is your view of God’s love, and how did you get this view? Some of us have had absent fathers, or distant mothers, or parents who were too present—dictatorial, authoritarian, and controlling. Others of us have suffered physical, emotional, or verbal abuse. Many have suffered illness or loss. The list of painful experiences is endless, and the repercussions can be endless, too. They can affect our confidence, our happiness, and our spirituality. They can obscure our view of God. We may come to view him as a supernatural being who is distant and uninvolved. We may feel that we are unimportant or insignificant to him. We may think that God is actively involved in and concerned for other people’s lives, but not ours. We may suspect that God is out to get us—to ruin what little happiness we have. We may decide that we do not believe in God at all...or even if we do still believe, we no longer trust him.
But I hope that as you read this book, you will allow the word of God to transform your view of him. Let go of the painful misconceptions life has taught you, and let the Bible teach you. Hear God’s promises and declarations with open ears, an open mind, and an open heart.
Read more...
