Sunday, January 21, 2018

Weekend Inspiration for the Week Ahead

Being Yourself

http://www.clipartpanda.com/

Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. 
Romans 12:9-10 (The Message)

When you look in the mirror what do you see?  Do you see a beautiful, intelligent woman with her own unique personality who is beloved of God?  Or, do you see a face with wrinkles, lack of confidence and everything that you think is wrong with you? Perhaps, it varies from day to day, what you see in the mirror? One day you are confident in your abilities and how you see yourself in the mirror and the next you're not? You are not alone, you know. I think most women vary in what they see in the mirror from time to time.

Today, when you look in the mirror, I want you to do two things. The first thing I want you to do is to notice at least one thing you see that you really, really like about yourself. Say out loud to yourself what that is. You might notice the beautiful color of your eyes, or the shape of your lips or your hair or cheekbones. You get the idea. Tell yourself what you see in the mirror that you like. Appreciate the fact that your face was uniquely created by God as the face He wanted you to have in this life. There is no one else in the world like you. You are beautiful in the eyes of God. 

The second thing I want you to do is to repeat the scripture verse from Romans 12:9-10 three times to yourself as you look in the mirror. Say it slowly and really think about it as you say it each time. Not only did God create your face uniquely, but also your personality uniquely. There is no one else in this whole world who has your unique personality. Sure, there are others with similar talents, perhaps, or similar personalities. But none exactly like yours. You are uniquely you....the woman God created and loves. Now, think of at least one thing about your personality that you really like. Tell yourself what this one thing is. Really allow this to sink in to your thinking. 

Take these positive thoughts with you as you go throughout your day. Love others and yourself from the center of who you are in this day. You don't have to fake it, trying to look like someone else, or acting like someone else. You are enough just as you are. You were uniquely created by God, both inside and out, and you are a beloved child of God. 

Now, I ask you again.....what do you see when you look in the mirror?

Blessings in the week ahead,
Debbie

7 comments:

Leanne said...

It's so hard to look beyond the aging process at times isn't it Debbie? I don't find the mirror as trying as I do with photographs. I can't remember the last time I saw a photo of myself where my first response was a positive one. You're right in the fact that we don't appreciate our God given uniqueness or the journey that gave us those wrinkles!

Karen said...

Oh how I agree with Leanne!! The photos! What happened??! While the mirror is some days making me feel more positive than others, photos are pretty much - "Oh no! What happened?" I do like this exercise though and will take time with this today. I love the verses you noted, and we can all take a lesson from that since we tend as women to be rather hard on ourselves. Lately in things I've been reading this seems to be a theme, so I think I am meant to hear this and put some thought into it. We don't have to try to be something we aren't to fit into some mold created by society, we aren't in our 20's any longer and don't need to try to look it. This is a very good lesson in self-acceptance and seeing ourselves as God sees us, and that is what is important. I will be standing in front of the mirror today and taking some time with this! Thank you for bringing this up Debbie, it's really important!

Sharon said...

Thank you, Debbie, for this inspring reminder of our unique selves. I think our culture has taught and supported females in a quest for perfection instead of acceptance and self-love. I will try to remember this blog post daily as I try to get past the negative self-talk.

Debbie Styles Life said...

You are right, Leanne, pictures are hard, too. I rarely see a pic of myself that I truly like. Guess I need to use this exercise with pictures, also, and not just mirrors!

Debbie Styles Life said...

Thanks, Karen. It makes me happy that this post is meaningful to you and to other women. Have a beautiful day!

Debbie Styles Life said...

Thanks, Sharon. You are so right. Acceptance and self-love is important. Our culture is not always kind to women, unfortunately.

Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond said...

We are always so hard on ourselves aren't we Debbie. The way we see ourselves is certainly not how others see us. Thank you for reminding us of how special and unique each one of us are. Have a beautiful week and thanks for linking up to #overthemoon.