“I'm Growing in Self Acceptance”
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Carlisha writes:
Diamonds are forever.
I’ve always had a problem accepting myself the way I am. Through my childhood, through my teens, it’s always been an issue.
I remember yelling at God because he didn’t make me like the next upcoming celebrity or star, but I never knew how much it saddened Him.
When I wish to be like other people or even attempt it, I insult God. The Bible says that I am fearfully and wonderfully created, and since what God has created is good, then he has made me “good” and perfect in his sight.
But when I question or change myself to be pleasing to others, it’s kind of like saying, “You didnt make me good enough.” “Thanks but no thanks, I’ll take it from here.”
God has made each of us one of a kind. No one has the same combination. My eyes and nose and ears fit together perfectly.
You can never claim to be me, and I can never claim to be you, no matter how hard I try. In a way we are diamonds freshly chiseled out of a dark, gloomy cave — we’re made to shine for the world to see.
Notice how fake and common diamonds are cheap and hold no value, but only the rarest of the beauties are priceless and held close.
So when I act like myself and celebrate my uniqueness, I become very valuable, I become cherished and, surely, like the Hope Diamond of the world, I become unforgettable to others.
Self acceptance takes a long time. Self acceptance is something that I work at every day.
Love is something I wake up and choose to do daily.
Every day choose to love yourself the way you are. God made you wonderful and you are you for a specific purpose that only you can accomplish.
Whether it’s your body weight, your laugh, your eyes, your nose, or your voice (in my case), your hair, your skin color or whatever, choose to be a real diamond, be rare, be valuable, be unforgettable and, most importantly, be you.
Please note that the views expressed in this story are not necessarily the views of the American Bible Society. Story posted on February 27th, 2008 and filed under God's Love, Your Stories, Struggles, Life Verse.
February 27th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Dear Carlisha:
“Love is something I wake up and choose to do daily.”
I am your follower.
The world will be a more peaceful place if, for example, playground bullies and violent criminals also distinguish themselves as God’s uniquely marvelous Creation and exalt Him.
Only then can they choose to “LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND. THIS IS THE GREAT AND FOREMOST COMMANDMENT.” (Matthew 22:37).
And only then can they have the awe and reverence of their God-endowed self-esteem, and not the false high self-esteem or self superiority. “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock….” Matthew 7:24.
Thank you, and
May GOD ALL MIGHTY Bless you to be the “Hope Diamond,” always and forevermore!
Mary Sun.
February 27th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Carlisha, thanks for your beautiful story and courageous, inspiring honesty!
I, too, struggle with self acceptance. My journey toward deeper self acceptance has been much slower and more painful than I would like it to be (ha!) … AND it’s been a beautiful, growth-producing, life-giving journey.
Along the way, God has used scripture (including Psalm 139:14), among other things, to help me heal and grow.
My sense is that my journey toward deeper and deeper self acceptance is a life-long journey (what part of the developmental journey isn’t a life-long journey?!?).
Thanks again, Carlisha, for the inspiration and encouragement! Shine on, Diamond!