I’m not a fan of selfies! Actually, let me be more specific! I’m not a fan of my selfies. I love seeing the selfies of my friends on Facebook. Love seeing a new hairstyle and seeing their smiles! When I see the unique beauty on the faces of my friends, I see God’s wonderful artistry, and I’m in awe of God’s creativity.
1 Corinthians 6:19 “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
I am capable of seeing the beauty in others, but then again I’m not typically in a place of judging their every possible flaw. Yet, every time I take a selfie of myself, I am overly critical of my physical flaws.
“My eyes are squinted, you need to lose weight, look at those wrinkles, girl, you’re getting a double chin, look at that dent in in your nose, in fact the entire nose is not good, that scar on your eye, and you’re getting old!” OUCH!
Guess what??? I’m not alone! How do I know? I counsel countless young ladies, men, and women. I’ve never met a single person who wasn’t highly critical of themselves.
I am my own worst enemy! “We” are our own worst enemy! If we think such awful things about ourselves, then Satan convinces us that everyone around us thinks the same thing!
Except, narcissistic individuals, this another entire topic. The nature of narcissism is extreme insecurity, redirected through the lens of grandiosity, arrogance, and looking down on other people.
Back to those of us who tend to be overly critical of ourselves. Why??? I see people with looks on all sides of the spectrum of beauty. Homecoming queens to people with physical abnormalities. In addition, I see people with all levels of success and popularity.
There’s always a universal theme, they think their “not good enough”.
Common misbeliefs “I’m not pretty enough, handsome enough, successful enough, popular enough, smart enough, etc.
I’ve come to realize something that may come as shock to a culture that values beauty, success, popularity, and intelligence above all else. The problem with self-esteem and self-worth has NOTHING to do with beauty, success, popularity, or intelligence. NOTHING!
Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
The problems rests in “what we’re placing our worth in”. If our worth is in looks or worldly popularity we will always find low self-worth. In fact, if our worth and value is in anything this world has to offer we will always find ourselves empty, sad, discontent, anxious, depressed, and deeply discouraged.
I’m a realist and I know that at times the world around us is cruel and judgmental. If our value and worth is in Jesus Christ, even when the world is cruel and judgmental, my worth will remain in tact. I may be hurt momentarily, but my anchor will hold me securely! With God as my anchor, I may be shaken, but will never be overtaken!
Hebrews 6:19 “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.”
Friends, Satan will attack! It will come from our own negative thoughts, attacks from other people, and the overall brokenness rampant in the world we live in.
If I am content in who God created me… His purpose for my life… His affection for me… His unconditional love for me… His fondness of me, as His beloved child… I will remain steadfast in my mission to glorify, serve, and praise God!
When I see myself through the eyes of a loving Heavenly Father who created me in His image and sent His son to die for me… I will find myself more content and joyful.
I commit myself to seeing my value in God! I will thank Him for the selfies of today, rather than overly criticize and allow Satan to distract me from God’s plans and purposes!
Today, I will see the beauty in my selfies, because this is “me” and God created me and loves me just as I am! I’m completely okay with that! What about you?
Blessings, Crystal
The Flame Within 
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