Break Out – Day 7

A reader wrote last week: “I’m 43 years old and have been struggling to accept myself all my life. It would be great to conquer this. Please help.”

Do you also struggle to accept yourself? Do you compare your physical appearance, your abilities, your family or your bank balance with others, while feeling inferior?

If so, come with me as we walk down the street of gold. Can you hear the carpentry noises in the distance growing louder as we approach? As we reach our destination, big bold letters against the door greet us: “Heaven’s workshop.” We carefully peek into the room and suddenly gasp for air. There are rows and rows of noses, eyes, mouths, ears, hands, legs and all other body parts with our Lord and Father in the middle of the room, busy selecting a unique set for another new creation on his workbench. This package will not only be unique in physical appearance, but also in personality and purpose on earth.

Do you realise that you too once were on the workbench before God? He uniquely selected your package and no one on earth can live your destiny, but you. Because the enemy knows this, he will always put thoughts in your mind to compare yourself with others so that you will feel inferior. This is his strategy to make us ineffective. In Psalm 139:13-18, however, we find three core truths that will help us realise our uniqueness:

1) God has woven us together: In Psalm 139:13 we read: “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb … You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.” God himself put you together in your mother’s womb.

2) God knows the number of your days on earth: In Psalm 139:16 we read: “You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.” God knows where he is heading with your life.

3) God has innumerable thoughts about each one of us: In Psalm 139:17-18 we read: “How precious are your thoughts about me, O God! They are innumerable! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand!” God has big dreams for your life.

So, if you start feeling inferior again when you encounter your pretty friend, rich friend, popular colleague or friends with the smart, sporty children, go and stand in front of the mirror while thanking God deliberately for your uniqueness (even if you don’t feel like doing it and even if a big belly, a bald head or a crooked nose stare back at you from the mirror). Give thanks for your abilities, your personality and purpose. You might just be amazed at how quickly the inferiority complex vanishes, when you realise that none of “those people” have the potential that God has specifically given you in order to make a difference in the world.

Remember, you too were once on the workbench. God’s unique package was his gift to you. What you make of it is your gift to him. God bless.