For • Give
“Help me to love me, like you love me”
Not the way men love me.
Not even the way I love me.
“Help me to see me, the way you see me”
Not the way men see me.
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Not even the way I see me.
That was the prayer point the Pastor of my Church raised as we closed prayers for the end of our two-week fast. And I was stunned.
I find it fascinating that we forgive people but not ourselves. I can’t speak for everyone, of course, but it’s so often that I find myself punishing myself much more than everyone else. I can’t put my finger on it. Could it be because I hold myself to higher standards? Do I think I’m better than everyone else and I can’t stumble?
Why can’t I see myself the way God sees me? Simply as His child.
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I wrote that on February 4, a time where I was particularly confused and looking unto God for all the right answers about relationships.
Now, almost 4 months and 2 weeks later, I find myself realising (more and more) that to truly see myself as God sees me, I need to strip off all the identities I have called myself (and I’ve let others call me) — the good, bad, even the ugly ones. I need to lean in fully and consciously into all that God has called and made me. That’s where I get my identity. That’s how I forgive myself.
Because if He could, then I can too!
