Grace: Viewing Myself the Way God Views Me

"Somewhere along the way, someone told us we weren't good enough. We weren't pretty enough, creative enough, crafty enough, or dedicated enough. Social media feeds, blogs, magazines, and other people began to set the standard for us. And they set it high -- unreachably high." - Emily Ley 

Have you ever felt this way?

My answer is a resounding "YES!" Every. Single. Day. I scroll through the Instagram feed, Facebook feed, Pinterest, etc. (put whatever social media platform you follow here) and I feel woefully inadequate.  Of course, we all know that people are putting their best face forward and that there were probably 20 selfies taken before they posted the best one - after using filters and developing the colors to make it appear more vivid or colorful. But, we don't consider that. We just see that perfect birthday party for their child, or that spotless home, or that relaxed family photo - and we dwell. We dwell on how imperfect our lives are. On what we are missing. Or, rather, what we think we are missing. What we are really missing is the imperfection of life. The ins and outs of life - of celebrating victories and mourning our sorrows. Experiencing life. Our focus, instead of remaining on God and what He has done for us and what He has promised us, remains on things of this world and the impressions we think it will give our neighbors - or even followers we don't even know! We look for validation from the world instead of basking in the love and grace given to us freely by Jesus. 

But there is grace.

Grace is a gift that not one single person deserves. We are sinners and should be on the fast lane to hell. But Jesus, in His infinite love for us, died for us. He died so that we can live! So why do we continue to focus on the worldly things and not revel in His love for us? God pours out his grace so abundantly, and yet, we often take what He has given to us and continue to bask in the worldly validation. Let me tell you (and me) something - we do not need to seek human validation - our only validation comes from being s born-again believer, saved by the blood of Jesus Christ. And when we truly begin to accept who we are under the grace of Jesus, we will understand who we are meant to truly be. And when we truly discern our purpose in life, we will exceed our own greatest expectations.

But I'll make mistakes.

Yes. You will. So will I. But grace. The same grace that saved us from our sins and separation from God in the pits of hell is the very same grace that God gives to us freely every single day. So, when you (or I) feel woefully inadequate, or like what we are doing doesn't make a difference, or that no one cares - guess what? Jesus does. And He is the only one that matters.

Hebrews 4:16 "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in times of need."