But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7 ESV
All of us use a lens or a filter to see everything, including ourselves. So how do you see yourself? With what lens or filter do you use to see who you truly are? Is it with filters of how you were treated in the past? Is it lenses of what your friends and family say to you now? Do you use billboard or magazine standards of riches, beauty and success? Or something else? Or do you view yourself with the eyes of God?
The truth is that how God views us is the only view that matters – not anyone else’s. And how does God view us? Yes, we are sinful and rebellious fallen beings, yet God loves us more than a mother does her child [see Isaiah 49:15]. Your name is engraved on the palms of His hands [see Isaiah 49:16]. He created you with a plan that one day, you will walk with Him in heaven [see Ephesians 1]. God loves you so much that He sent His Son to rescue you from your sinfulness.
The truth is that you are a dearly beloved precious child of God. And do not let any situation or circumstance ever overwhelm you in believing anything less than you certainly are in God’s sight. So
How Should You See Yourself More Using God’s Eyes?
- Let go of the past – memories of words and actions that devalue your self-worth. Surrender those things to God and treat them as what they are – lies. Let the Lord heal you from past hurts and resentments. Sometimes, long-term healing and even counselling may be needed to be free and be healed from your past hurts.
- Forgive those who maltreated you with their words and actions. Release them from any grudges and resentments – even those who already died. Forgive them from the heart for the wrongs they have done to you. Start living in freedom from any burden of carrying those hurts and anger for a long time.
- Always remind yourself of who you are through God’s lens. The Creator of the whole universe, the Lord of Lords, tenderly loves you! God paid a huge ransom to rescue you from hell, and now you are heaven-bound.
- Situations and circumstances can sometimes be bad but insist on fighting for the truth in your mind of who you are in God’s eyes. Remind yourself twice daily of how God looks at you – as you rise up and as you sleep.
- The mental battle of your self-image can be a lifetime one, especially if your self-image is low due to your past. Insist on the truth and do not give in to the lies that you are worth less than you are in God’s perspective.
- Change may be needed to improve your self-image. Do your friends and people around you call you names that degrade you, or do they make fun of you? Seek the company of people who supports your positive self-worth. You need to move away from negative situations which bring about lies about your self-image.
- The closer you are to God, the more you will improve on how you see yourself. Seek him in prayer and Scripture. Turn to Him in good and bad times. Choose God to be your constant companion daily.
Scripture References
- Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2 ESV)
- For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. (Psalms 139:13-14 ESV)
- See what kind of love the father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:1-2 ESV)
For Personal Reflection or Group Sharing:
- Do you view yourself with the eyes of God or with something else?
- How often do you give in to lies about your identity as a beloved and precious child of God who is heaven-bound?
Top image: Scripture quote, and a background illustration of man gazing at the stars by © Kevin Carden, purchased at ChristianPhotoshops.com
Tom Caballes is a National Coordinator of the Lamb of God, a community of the Sword of the Spirit with seven branches located throughout New Zealand. Tom and his wife Mhel and their two daughters [with his son-in-law and grand-daughter] live in Wellington, New Zealand.