// In His Image //

 

I’ve debated writing about this topic for a while now. In fact, I have a slight inclination that this draft might not ever make it to the big leagues- the published copy.

If you’re reading this, after some serious personal wrestling, I made the right decision.

Insecurity is a touchy topic and often, it gets “swept under the rug,” so to speak.

“You’re beautiful just the way God made you, now run along.”

The funny thing is we ARE beautiful just the way God made us, but usually, we are so unfortunately blinded by our own limitations that this truth no longer comforts us. Think about this for a second, genuinely ponder the poignancy of this truth.  The same God Who fashioned the Universe and every iota within, created YOU. He created your laugh with a distinct purpose; He hand-picked your eye-color. He carefully articulated your voice and the way in which it would sound throughout all parts of the day.  Your hair?  He chose that too.

But sometimes, even acknowledgment of this monumental truth doesn’t seem to help. Despite our Creator’s purposeful precision, insecurity can affirm a seemingly unbreakable stronghold, rendering us unresponsive to comfort. We become immured within the walls of self-pity, self-loathing, and self-diffidence. We’ve become inordinately focused on ourselves- -what we are or what we’re not– that we wax ourselves ignorant of God’s Handiwork.

Or even worse . . .

We begin to question the validity of God’s Handiwork.

“How can I be beautiful in God’s eyes when my hair looks like this?”

“Why can’t I look like____? She’s so much prettier than I.”

“I wish God created me in a different way. I really don’t like the way He made my nose.”

“Why don’t people acknowledge me? What can I do to become more worthy of a ‘second glance?'”

 

I’m sure that similar thoughts have ensconced themselves in your minds and hearts at some point. I’m here to tell you . . . and myself . . . “Don’t listen to ’em.”

Insecurity has plagued the lives of millions of people–calamitous, but true. Sometimes, insecurity surpasses uncertainty in one’s appearance and transpires into a feeling of insufficiency in one’s performance, popularity, success, etc.. (the list is unfortunately endless).

 

Ultimately, however, insecurity is a heart issue. Hate to say it, but it’s true. When we grow insecure, we are fundamentally exhibiting our discontentment in God’s Handiwork.

But let’s be honest:

Who do we even think we are? Who are we to tell God, the Creator of the Universe, that He messed up when He made us? How foolishly self-absorbed.

It’s hard, and I struggle, but I also pray. I pray that God can uncover my ignorance and disclose His Workmanship. I pray that God can shift my focus from perfecting my outward appearance to cultivating inward beauty. It’s not an easy process, guys. It really isn’t, and the shallow ‘perfection’ exhibited on a plethora of social media platforms only worsens the condition.

Yet still, you are beautiful, not because your hair is frizz-less, not because you wear a size zero, not because you’re popular, not because you’re intelligent; but rather, because you are a masterpiece created by the Master. Rest in that truth.

Here are a few verses that have helped me battle my own insecurity, and I pray that they can be a blessing to you as well. Hang ’em on your wall, pin ’em to your Pinterest, write ’em in your journal- whatever works for you. Just don’t forget ’em, okay?

• 1 Corinthians 10: 13- 14
  • “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.” 
• 1 Peter 3: 4
  •  ^“But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.”
• Psalm 139: 14
  • ^” I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”
• Jeremiah 1: 5
  • “ Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.”
• Luke 12: 7
  • “But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.”
• Genesis 1: 26a
  • “ And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…”

 

With love, Delaney.