by Rev. Cathryn Hughes
How many of us really love ourselves--the way God made us? Have you ever stopped to think that we hurt God when we don't love ourselves the way
he made us? We were made the way we are for a reason.
Seems we get hung up on all kinds of things that are negative about our lives. I know I have felt that way at before in my life.From discouragement, and disappointments. And God made me see that I had to be happy with the way I am. We don't have to struggle really! We can be satisfied in ourselves when we
get our eyes on Jesus. He is the one who helps us find happiness in ourselves.
never being satisfied, or happy just being who we are.
Many people want to change everything about themselves. Be like other people
instead of looking so much at the bad in ourselves, we need to love and accept every part of us. From the wrinkles to the flab. God doesn't care how you are on the outside. He cares what you are on the inside. He made you just as you are!
So many times we forget that. We get so much on our outward appearance when in reality we should be thinking about how we can grow in ourselves on the inside with God. We don't have to worry about what the world thinks or does. For we serve God and we do not live of the ways of the world.
It's time we care more what God thinks. It helps us get a better perspective on how life really is. When we have a giving heart and giving attitude, and think of those worse off than ourselves and keep our hands busy for the Lord. We stop worrying about not being happy in ourselves. We become happy when we love our life in the Lord.
So many people of the Church today are the most unhappy people. Because many are so miserably out of the will of God. From: insecure, into only
themselves, do not care about winning souls, and do not have direction. Many do not even love themselves. They only focus on their insecurities, flaws and their problems. Many are depressed, oppressed. God wants to use these people! their is a way out. It's through Jesus Christ. Let him put love and like for your life inside your heart. He is able to heal any hurts you have.
Humans who allow problems stand in the way of their thinking and cloud their mind, and just stay in that way of living, let me ask...How could they see with all this junk in the way?
I have learned myself that when I come up against a struggle, I can't get anywhere until I give it all to Christ, this is what makes me stay a happy Christian. Yes we all face challenges but we can choose how we are going to handle them. And the best way is to keep the mind of Christ. I take my problems to God in prayer. Prayer changes things and God is only allowing these things to keep us strong and learn in Him.
God wants us to see clearly is to love ourselves. When we really love God, we can really love ourselves too. Perfect love casts out all fear. And when we are very strong in God's love, we can also allow love reign in our hearts. If you can't love yourself, how can you love others? We are not supposed to be hung up in our problems--instead to rely on God to help us. That way we don't have to carry the load and try to handle it all ourselves. That is where we mess up as humans.
Not allowing God to help us. When we try to handle everything ourselves--then we fall. But when we have the Savior in our heart and life, The Holy Spirit will lead and guide us and keep the trash out of our minds. When we allow God to replace negative ways and thoughts with Good ones--the promises of His Word will bring us through with blessing. The Word says to thinking on things that are good, and positive. He keeps us in peace in our minds.
Philippians 4:8 tells it like this.....
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Our happiness in God comes from inside ourselves. If we are not happy inside ourselves, it affects how we are with our families, our work and everyone around us.
Are we happy with ourselves alone? And trusting God? Have we forgiven those who hurt us? Are we praying for them and pushing forward for God?
Have you ever had to spend a long period of time alone? How did you handle it? Did you find a way to cope, or did you get unhappy, and depressed? Well, when you have God in your life, you can be happy when you are alone, or with people. I have found in my own life, that I can stand strong alone in God. God never leaves nor forsakes me! I have had to do that many times. I found the contentment in God! We can face anything with God! We are over comers!
You don't need humans to keep you happy. You need God! He is our happiness in our hearts.It's God who fills the void! I am not saying you can't have friends, I am
meaning we don't have to depend on others to keep our hearts happy. Because God gives inner peace, love and happiness. Leaning on God brings us through everything!
I talk to many men and women on the net who are seeking a spouse. They actually think if they find a spouse, that this is the answer to their unhappiness or emptiness inside of them. They also say things like, I want to go to the UK or USA and they think these moves will solve all their problems of their hearts. My friends,I tell you God is the answer! If we are sure about our relationship with God we won't need to go out seeking for answers elsewhere would we? God will bring His Will into our life without having to do that. It will just happen in God's timing.
Loneliness is a choice. Just as love is a choice too.If a person were to choose to dwell on loneliness, They could actually cause their own self to be sick in their mind or be depressed. If they allow love to rule their heart and choose love as the guide, they would love themselves and others and be happier.
There is another option to choose. To look at life in a positive way, look at what we face, as a stepping stone to get us where we want to go, & keeping busy. It all depends on how a person looks at things, and the choices they make. It also depends on how they handle life too. You can change whatever you face, by Praying about them, and also setting goals, or find hobbies, and by using the talents God blessed you with--God will bless everything we do, if we at least try
to do something! God doesn't want us sitting around being idle and pouting. And things would fall into place for You are in charge of your happiness. It's your choice. Nobody can make you happy but you. Learn to love yourself as God made you. And you will be blessed.
