Accepting Who God Sees...

Acceptance is defined as many different things but is something that we all strive for. The Blue Letter Bible includes the words “delight, satisfaction, to be pleasing, acceptable (to God)” and so on. The Strong’s Greek Lexicon lists “to take fully, i.e. welcome (persons, approve (things:--accept, receive (gladly).” One thing I do know is that whichever meaning I look at, acceptance is a major issue in the life of any human.

When I was married (which seems like many years ago now), I think I looked somewhat dowdy at times, especially after I got glasses. Looking back I can now see why my then husband strayed. I look vastly different now to what I did then, and I am certainly thankful for that! Fast forward 12 years since we separated and divorced and I can see the importance of a woman’s self-image, not just on the outside but on the inside also.

I feel it’s important for women to embrace that notion. Aside from being here as a helpmate for our husbands (yes, I know, I’m not married but go with me on this), we were also created to be sensual and desirable beings, made differently from man and for a reason. We perhaps don't feel like we are sensual and desirable being because of life experiences, changes to our bodies and the effect on us, but that is what, I feel, God wants; for us to feel accepted.

Song of Solomon is written about the love, the sensual love, between a man and woman, which to my understanding is a metaphor for the love between God and us. Ladies, we were meant to look, feel and be sensual and attractive beings, no matter what our outside shell looks like. We weren't meant to feel that our exterior dictates our interior or our worthiness and acceptance by man. We are meant to love the form we came in and to accept it and respect it by looking after it.

You may be a size 18 and struggling with your appearance, resigning yourself to it because of life's circumstances. But that is not how God wants you to feel. That is not even how God sees you! He loves you from the inside out and sees your heart first and foremost. He wants you to accept yourself in the shell you're in and love it.

Basically what I'm saying is that we were made in His image. He loves you. He wants you all to Himself firstly and most importantly. If you are struggling with an issue with your looks or if you feel you are restricting yourself in that area because of an experience you've had with man. Don't! God wants your true treasure and beauty to shine. He wants to see your beauty both inside and out.

While as Christian women we must be respectful in our appearance and not conform to the carnal desires and lusts of the world, it is no reason to withhold our beauty from ourselves and most importantly from God. For those who are married, betrothed or just dating, your partner longs to see your beauty shine, so share that with him. For those who are single, or who struggle with their appearance, or knowingly reject any notion of loving themselves, don't. Be good to yourself and do what makes you feel beautiful and loved by God. I know He wants that, for Him and for you.

Dignity is most important, even if you feel you are not. Acceptance is important also. If you feel you can't accept yourself because of your appearance, take it to God and ask Him to show you the real you He knows and wants you to be. This may mean internal and external changes. Embrace that. God loves you for who He sees internally and externally, which is much more than what you can see. Embrace being a woman and a sensual being. God created that. He created us how we are for a reason.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for making us in Your image. I pray that even though we all struggle with self-image issues and insecurities that we can take those issues to You and You can show us through Your perfect vision how You see us. In Jesus' Wonderful Name, Amen