At times when we look inside, we will feel marred, flawed, dissatisfied, maybe depressed. It may seem we can’t always look lovely! That is when we, as children of God, can be reminded we are made in God’s image (Psalm 139), giving us worth. Here are some facts:

1. We can acknowledge ourselves as redeemed people. That means seeing ourselves as God sees us, inadequate humans who have been cleaned and declared righteous by faith in Christ (Romans 3:24). Then we are loved and accepted by ourselves because Christ is worthy.
2. We can accept who God made us: “accepted in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:6).
3. We can come as we are but not stay as we are. This is a process! It is called sanctification (I Thessalonians 4:3).
4. We can lay aside our “old nature” because of Jesus’ truth (Ephesians 4:21-24).
5. We can claim God’s forgiveness and His new self when we experience real guilt (I John 1:9). In these cases, the answer is not to love ourselves more.
6. We can be aware that loving ourselves unduly can usurp God’s place (II Timothy 3:1-5).

If committed to this transformation (Romans 12:2), then daily we grow. Again, it is a process. Only when we accept the reality of being redeemed by Jesus’ death on the cross, and His forgiveness, can we really be freed to look outward and love others and God. With God’s new sense of belonging, acceptance and worthiness, we are constantly be changed into God’s image, His goal for us (II Corinthians 3:18).

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