ᗯᕼO GOᗪ ᔕᗩYᔕ ᗯE ᗩᖇE

Every time I look on Instagram, read Facebook, even talk to others I get the feeling I am just not good enough. My thoughts run to how imperfect I am and that I am not good enough and I will never measure up. Giving up those thoughts can be hard and a long process but, they need to be done. We can not let the devil talk to us through the words of the world. The devil wants us to feel like we are not good enough, that we will never measure up, that we can't do things, BUT this is a LIE!

While reading It's Not Suppose To Be This Way by Lysa Terkeurst I came across this quote;

"[we] expect a perfection in [ourselves] and perfection in others that not even God himself expects." That is some good stuff! As Sadie Robertson would say "WOAH that's good!" God knew from the very begging we would not be perfect nor sin free but, he made us anyway. I don't know about you but, when I try to make something artistic, creative, or beautiful I want it to be as close to perfect as it can be. If it's not I throw it away or toss it aside, God didn't do that. God looks at us as his children, he gives us grace and mercy because, to him we are his creation. He created us in his very image. In the first chapter of the Bible God lets us know what we are to him; "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." Genesis 1:27

The best part is it gets better and better throughout the Bible. Yes,we fail him but, that didn't stop him from telling us how beautiful we are. John tells us in 1st John; "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him." 1 John 3:1 The world does not know us as perfect, pure, children of God, made in his image, or "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14). The world does not see us like this because they do not see God for who he is. We have hope and salvation in his name. We can read a whole book about our identity written by God himself through people we have also deemed less than perfect.

It's understandable why we need weekly and even daily reminders of who God says we are. In a world full of lies and images it's near impossible not to find your self caught up in the middle. But, it's ok "Weak moments don't make weak faith" says Lysa Terkeurst.

If you find yourself challenging who God says you are and not liking who you see in the morning I have some suggestions.

1. Delete social media: Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, even Pinterest. Take a week off, 2 weeks, a month, and so on. Take however long you need to refresh your mind and heart.

2. Limit your screen time: in deleting social media is too hard at first set your screen time to 1-2 hours per day. Get your eyes off the screen that allows you to compare yourself.

3. Read: read books specifically for young women trying to find who they are and what God says about them. Books like Uninvited can truly help you get back on track.

4. Read the Bible: find a bible study for young women that addresses these issues and takes you through specific verses like Genesis 1:27 and 1 John 3:1.

5. Pray: pray every chance you get to let God in, let God whisper in your ear what he thinks about you. Let your mind be filled with his words and not those of the world.

A couple other things I've had friends do is:

- not wearing makeup, going a week or so at a time with no makeup on and embracing your true natural beauty

- not wearing clothes that show off skin or draw negative attention

- surround yourself with friends who remind you how awesome and beautiful you are

- find an adult to talk to about your feelings

- change up your daily/weekly schedule, add a workout or some TLC time

Don't spend the next month doubting who you are and who God thinks you are. Invest in yourself. Show up for yourself and your dreams don't just try and live up to someone else. One song I encourage you to listen to is "You Say" by Lauren Daigle, it will have you crying out in worship as you accept and embrace yourself as a creation of God.

I will end this post with the wise words of Lysa Terkeurst, "God isn't wanting perfection. He just wants us to be perfectly surrendered to His way and His Word."

xoxo,

Liv

"You Say" by Lauren Diagle https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIaT8Jl2zpI

"Don't Over Identify With Your Failures." - Bob Goff