When I took a break from blogging, I wrote down notes and questions to reflect on. I discovered one recurring problem I have is not accepting myself as I am. The deep truth is I don’t see myself through Jesus’ eyes.
I’m realizing how often I’m apologizing to myself or others in my thoughts about who I am or what I do or don’t do. I’m trying to come to grips with believing I have a makeup exactly as God wants, and I need to accept myself just the way I am.
I am an introvert. I think I was always introspective as a child already. I get nervous in crowds. Socializing wears me out, even more so with the weight of chronic illness. I am not a good conversationalist. I feel insecure and often get tongue-tied when it comes to what I really want to say. I don’t think of it until later what I should have asked or said. Afterwards I rehash what I said or didn’t say, over-analyze, and worry that I may have said something wrong. {It’s hard to know what comes from my personality and what resulted from abusive situations. But healing takes time, and at the bottom of it all, I’m still an introvert, and I have to realize that’s ok.}
I beat myself up for not being “better” at socializing. I compare myself with the social butterflies who can so easily talk with people, and I fall short. Why can’t I talk more easily like they can? Why do I always have to feel so nervous? Why won’t the words come?
I sometimes do better one on one, but even then I have to keep reminding myself to “Just be you, and look to Jesus.” And I do believe that when I can see myself through His eyes, I am less stressed. If I can see myself as His beloved the load becomes lighter.
Do you accept yourself as you are? Whether you are an introvert or an extrovert?
Here are some important truths we all need to remind ourselves of, no matter what personality we have:
- “I will praise You because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made…” (Psalm 139:14a HCSB) We are marvelously made by God. He created each of us with unique personalities and gave each of us purposes in life that can never be carried out by any other human being. He doesn’t want any of us to act like someone else other than who we are or beat ourselves up for being who we are.
- “For your royal husband delights in your beauty; honor Him, for He is your lord.” (Psalm 45:11 NLT) We may think of ourselves as “ugly,” but God only sees us as beautiful. He even delights in us and cherishes us.
- “Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes.” (Ephesians 1:4 NLT) We already are pre-approved. We don’t have to do anything to make ourselves more special or enough in Jesus’ eyes. Through His grace, we are enough. We are special just to be loved by Him. That love will never ebb or flow according to what we do or don’t do.
- “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old is passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Cor. 5:17) All our sins, mistakes, and old insecurities can fall away through Christ. He wants us to see ourselves as newly created in Him – accepted, redeemed, and loved unconditionally.
- “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” ( Romans 15:7) Jesus welcomes us, receives us, and accepts us just as we are, no matter what personality we have. He wants us to accept ourselves just as we are. And others just as they are.
“Beautiful”
by MercyMe
May we accept ourselves just as we are
and as marvelously made by God!
Linking up with:
Holley – Coffee For Your Heart
Jennifer – Tell His Story
Kelly – Cheerleaders of Faith
Bonnie – Faith Barista’s Beloved Brews
Freed to Fly 
Great post! I can identify with so much of what you said. I am an introvert also, and I over-analyze things a lot! Thank you for the great reminders and truths! Visiting from the #RaRaLinkup.
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You’re welcome, Dana.. Together we’ll have to keep reminding ourselves and each other of those truths. Thank you for visiting! May God bless you with peace in who you are in Jesus! Hugs!
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Dear Trudy, you touch me with these words:”The deep truth is I don’t see myself through Jesus’ eyes.” Ouch, and Amen! It’s also been a limiting factor in my healing and recovery from a painful past. I can say the words, even write them on a blog and encourage others to see themselves in this way… but I still fail to fully accept and believe it on a daily basis. Our deep wounds need the lancing laser of His word, and they also require personal application by us in order to make them far more than simply words on a page. I long for this truth to seep deep into my spirit and I need encouraging reminders such as you have given us today. You’re a beautiful soul who speaks her heart truth in order to help others see it for themselves. Thank you, friend! May you soon begin to fully appreciate who you are In Christ because He loves you Just As You Are – introvert or extrovert. 🙂 Xx ❤
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Hi Joy. I’m with you on longing for this truth to seep deep into our spirits! Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. May we keep encouraging each other! May Jesus sink the truth in your heart how very special you are in His eyes! Hugs!
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I totally relate and it is a constant struggle for me.
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Hi Sita. It’s good to “see” you here again. I’m so sorry you struggle with this, too. May Jesus give the eyes of your heart to see how very precious you are to Him just the way you are! Hugs!
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Thank you, Trudy! You just told my story-I am sorry that you, & so many of us, have similar struggles. Isn’t it odd how sometimes we do so well, then something happens that makes the mountain seem bigger & we wonder where our faith went. I am going thru one of those at present & am struggling to cling to the Father’s love, in spite of the raging battle. Thank you for sharing your own battles & the reminders that He really is the only one who knows us & lives us with an everlasting love & created us uniquely for His own purpose. He has a plan for us-to give us a hope & a future-a good one!
I’m praying for you & all others who have commented with similar trials-& you’re so right in saying that being chronically ill makes it more of a challenge. But God….
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I’m sorry you’re struggling more right now, Donna. What you said is so true. Yes, it’s “odd how sometimes we do so well, then something happens that makes the mountain seem bigger and we wonder where our faith went.” It’s so up and down sometimes. May we both cling to our identity in Christ Jesus! Praying Jesus will hold you so close to His heart that you can hear the rhythm of His faithful love for you and feel He is with you through this battle, too. Hugs!
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I went through some of the same things you experienced. I am a introvert and I over analyze my conversations. I come from a family of very extroverted people and I often compared myself to them. But God made me this way and I should not feel bad about it! Just be who God made you to be!
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Hi Budget Belles. I’m sorry you have struggled with this, too. Yes! God made you this way. You are special just the way you are! And thank you for encouraging me to just be who God made me to be. 🙂 May God give you peace and strength through each day! Hugs!
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Trudy- love this and need very badly to hang on to those verse you shared – thank you for reminding me- and bringing his love for me to mind tonight- You have refreshed my soul! 🙂 with love
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I’m sooo glad your soul is refreshed, Susie! Yes, He loves you so much. You are His own precious child, and He uses you in such a unique way through your poems and art. They have refreshed my soul many times. 🙂 May Jesus and His love refresh your soul every day! Hugs!
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Trudy,
I can so relate to this post — I think you’re living in my head because I feel exactly the same way! Socializing wears me out and I enjoy solitude and introspection. I also berate myself for what I should have said or didn’t’ say, but as you point out, yes, God made us this way. I’m trying to change the words I say to myself and I know these words will spill over to others if I change the way I think! Trudy, I just knew we were kindreds!! Much love to you! xoxo
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Hi Valerie. Yes, we are kindred spirits! I, too, am trying to change the words I say to myself. Some days those lies in me are relentless. But we have to keep trying to replace them with the Truth, right? May Jesus wrap you in His arms and show you how very special and loved you are in Him! Much love to you, too, Valerie! Hugs!
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Hi Trudy!
I too can totally relate to being introverted. There are some occaisions I have to mentally prepare for knowing that there will be lots of people. And what if I HAVE to talk?! EEEK! I’ve gotten a bit better over the years but boy it truly is exhasting some days isn’t it?
God made us all beautiful creatures, each with our own personalities and quirks. All of us here for a purpose to love one another and lift each other up. 🙂
I absolutely LOVE the song Beautiful! so much truth.
(((HUGS))) to you my friend! 🙂
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Hi Krista! Yes, it can be exhausting. I’m glad the song ministered to you. We need to take it to heart, don’t we? May God give you peace, hope, and strength for each day! Hugs!
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I am more extroverted, but I know what you mean. I am all too often wondering why I said something and tearing myself down. It is a struggle that is very real and takes constant effort to stop!
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Me, too, Sarah. I think many of us tear ourselves down whether we’re introverted or extroverted. We have to continually replace the lies with the truth of our identity in Jesus, don’t we? May He give is strength and courage each day in this struggle! Hugs!
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