November 26, 2012

  • Accepted

    One thing I have noticed that many people seem to struggle with is BEING YOURSELF. Most of us are much more aware of our inadequacies and shortcomings than we are our gifts and strong points. But, we all have value. God doesn't make junk, after all!

    One of our biggest problems is trying to impress other people. We struggle to meet the expectations of others, even though realistically we know we will never be able to please everyone. I remember as a young teen  being ask by my mother why I couldn't be more like my sister. She was frustrated with what I wanted to do. My older sister was less of a bother, I guess. I understand my mother's feelings, but that remark hurt, because I interpreted it as meaning that ME was not good enough. ME was not pleasing. I loved my sister, but I did not want to be like her. I couldn't be like her. I was ME!

    I will spare you a commentary on my years of searching for acceptance. Let it suffice that I did an awful lot of stupid stuff trying to be accepted, and I never felt I was. I never felt like I fit in. I never felt good enough.

    When I went to college, I became a real and honest Christian. (Not the pretend one who acted all good and holy so people would approve of me!) It was SUCH a relief to me! I had spent to many years trying to do the right thing for all the wrong reasons. God accepted me just the way I was! Incredible. And, He forgave me for my rebellion and all my foolish, people pleasing ways. It was in that reality that I finally began to like myself. Amazing. I am really kinda cool. Yes, I am!

    It was so freeing to understand that now there was only ONE person I needed to please. God. If I was pleasing Him, it really didn't matter so much what other people thought. Ephesians 1:6 talks about how God has accepted us. It's wonderful to know where I fit.

    I see so many young people who are struggling with the same things I struggled with. I wish them to know what I know. I understand it is a truth they must discover for themselves, but I pray for them, and when I feel led to, I talk with them.

    God accepts you and loves you just the way you are. Really.

Comments (9)

  • Very nice.

  • I stole this and posted it on my Facebook.  I hope that my grandchildren will read it but the one that needs it most because he said when his (worthless) Dad died, "Now I can't prove to him I'm worth something."  probably won't.  How sad.

  • Yes, Amen!  It's such a bondage to be under the pressure to live your life trying to please others.  But in Christ we find such love.  xoxo

  • yes, we are enough just the way we are.

  • Love this, it's so true. God finds us all worthy & who we are is very good enough to Him. I may not feel like I am much to myself. I must admit that times I do. But once in Church when I was at Praise survice I kept saying over, & over again that I am not worthy. & God spoke through an interpreter "That I was worthy" Amen!

    Linda

  • love it. and thanks! i know. and yet i don't think we can remind each other of this too often. circumstances, people, the culture and sadly, even the church will suggest worthlessness and unacceptance. "at the end of the day i would rather be disliked for who i am [even for another's distorted perception of such] than liked for who i am not." He loves me period.

    happy tuesday to you His beloved, from me, His beloved. :)

  • Sometimes I wonder if there is anybody who didn't or doesn't struggle with acceptance. I agree, when I watch young people struggle to fit it, often by doing really dumb things, I wish I could instill God's value into their mind, but it seems we learn best through a bit of struggle and pain.

  • Very good post, Mae

    I think that  I still struggle with this a bit. I learned early that good performance was what people wanted from me---parents, teachers, preachers, and family members. My people pleasing instincts gave me lots of likability and success, but it was draining.

    Acceptance by God was my first breakthrough--when I was born again--things started to improve over time.

    Wishing you a very nice weekend,

    frank

  • A very good post and gives us all something to ponder on.  I know the feeling, still struggle with it, but not as much as I use to.

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