Learning to Like Yourself

We all have areas that we need to improve, but as long as we're pressing forward, getting up each day and doing our very best, we can be assured that God is pleased with us. He may not be pleased with every decision we make, but He is pleased with us.

Guess what. God knew that you were not going to be perfect. He knew that you were going to have weaknesses, faults, and wrong desires--He knew all that before you were even born--and He still loves you!

One of the worst things you could do is to go through life being against yourself! This is a major problem today. Many people have a war going on inside themselves. They don't really like who they are. They focus on their weaknesses, not realizing that this negative introspection is a root cause of many of their difficulties. They can't get along in relationships, they're insecure, they don't enjoy their life, and it's largely because they're not at peace with who they are.

Understand, you can't give away what you don't have. If you don't love yourself, you're not going to be able to love others.

You may have some faults. You may have some things you wish you could change about yourself. Well, join the crowd. We all do. But lighten up and quit being so hard on yourself.

Remember, God is still working on you. You're not a finished product. It's okay to like yourself while God is in the process of changing you. As long as you are negative and critical toward yourself, the process slows down; you make matters worse.

The fact that you are reading this book indicates that you want to be better, that you are striving for excellence, and that you have a heart to please God. If that's you, don't live under mounds of condemnation merely because you are still struggling in some areas. When you make mistakes, simply go to God and say, "Father, I'm sorry. I repent. Help me to do better next time." Then let it go. Don't beat yourself up for two weeks, or two months, or two years. Shake it off and move on.

The Scripture indicates that God has already approved and accepted you. It doesn't say God approves you as long as you live a perfect life. No, it says God approves you unconditionally, just as you are. Frankly, it's not because of what you have or haven't done; God loves you because of who you are and because of who He is. God is love. You are a child on the Most High God. If God approves you, why don't you start approving yourself? Shake off guilt, condemnation, inadequacies, and a sense that you can't measure up, and start feeling good about who you are.

God has an incredible banquet prepared for you. He has an abundant life for you. No matter how many mistakes you've made in the past, or what sort of difficulties you struggle with right now, you have been destined to live in victory. You may not be all you want to be, but at least you can look back and say, "Thank You, God; I'm not what I used to be."

God is not looking at everything you've done wrong over your entire life or your disobedience last week. He's looking at what you're doing right, He's looking at the fact thatyou have made a conscious decision to be better, to live right, and to trust Him. He is pleased that you are kind and courteous to people. He's looking at the fact that you have a desire to know Him better.

It's time for you to get in agreement with God and start feeling good about who you are. Certainly, you may have some areas in which you need to improve, and you will because you're growing. You're making progress. You can live free from the heaviness that has weighed you down in the past.

Keep in mind, the enemy accuses that you're never doing enough. Don't take that stuff. You have a multitude of good qualities to every one negative quality.

The moment you repented, God not only forgave you, He forgot about it. He chooses not to remember it anymore. Quit bringing up what God has already forgotten; let it go and start feeling good about who you are. We tend to think God is keeping a list of all of our mistakes. That's not God's heart at all. God is for you; He is on your side. He is the best friend you could ever have. God is not looking at what you've done wrong; He's looking at what you've done right. He's not focused on what you are; He's focused on what you can become. You can be assured that God is pleased with you. He's in the process of changing you.

Here's some good news: God's power shows up the greatest in our weaknesses. When we are weak, He is strong. You can learn to lean on God, and instead of being negative and critical toward yourself, say, "Father, I'm leaning on You. I'm asking You to help me to beat this bad habit. God, I know I'm weak in this area, but I believe You are strong in and through me. I'm asking You to help me have a better opinion about myself."

In your weaknesses, whatever they may be, instead of getting down on yourself, simply ask God to help you, and you'll see His power show up like never before.

I believe God allows us to have some weaknesses so we'll always have to trust Him. If you're waiting until you get rid of everything you struggle with and until you feel like you're perfect, before you begin to like yourself, you're going to be waiting your whole lifetime.

You're not perfect, but you are trying to live better, and God looks at your heart. He sees the inside, and He is changing you little by little.

God is pleased with you. He has already accepted and approved you. He may not be pleased with every decision you make, but if you have entrusted your life to Him, God is pleased with you.