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Have you ever wondered if your husband and you actually speak the same language? Does your husband occasionally say something that makes you wonder if you are even living on the same planet?  This is something that happens often when a person becomes self-reflective.

The way a man or woman perceives himself or herself often affects the way they are accepted. A man that sees himself as a failure will usually fail. A woman who sees herself friendless will have trouble building deep lasting friendships. A person that believes they are un-attractive will not attempt to improve their appearance. The list could go on and on.

Telling an individual they are wrong is ineffective. They will believe you are trying to make them feel better, but they won’t believe what you say.

Obviously, this can have serious consequences in a marriage. Job instability is a major problem. Jealousy will rear its ugly head. Encouragement can be seen as nagging. Keeping quiet is uncaring. It doesn’t take long until this tightrope walk becomes unendurable. So how can this self-image problem be fixed? Prayer is of course the number one answer. So how do you pray about this? The problem is seeing yourself as God sees you. Remember God created each of us. He formed us, he knew our members when we were still in the womb. Do you really believe God made a mistake? You are the height, skin tone, eye color, personality God chose for you! I don’t know why God gave me crooked teeth but he did. Braces weren’t an option when I was growing up so does that mean I should never smile? When each one of us accepts that God made no mistakes, that in fact God designed us to be who we are, and he loved us enough to redeem us we will have better self-esteem.

When we have learned to accept ourselves we will be able to feel acceptance and value in other peoples eyes.

Because of our human nature we all have doubts. We don’t want to doubt God, but Satan is an expert at causing us to doubt. Remember that he started way back in the Garden of Eden when he spoke to Eve. Genesis 3:1b And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? Subtle serpent. He knew that if he said "Hey, Eve come on over here and taste this fruit," she would most likely say, "No way you nasty old snake. God said not to eat that one." Instead he said are you sure that that is what God meant. Maybe you are misinterpreting that verse? He is just as subtle today.

When we spend time in the Bible allowing God through the Holy Spirit to conform us to the image of his son, we will experience peace with who we are.  II Corinthians 3:18 We all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

When we are assured of the work that God is doing in us, our faith is strengthened. Isn’t it easy to doubt the Lord when you really don’t like yourself? How can we, by faith, accept the salvation God has provided and doubt his ability to see something loveable in us. God made no mistakes.

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