SEE YOURSELF WITH NEW EYES

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19

I have had serious vision problems at moments in my dancing career. Being surrounded by mirrors and other beautiful dancers only seemed to make my vision worse. Let me explain.

Dancers see themselves in a certain way. And unfortunately, not in a good way. We see our faults. We see our imperfections. We see every shape and every curve that is a hindrance to our classical lines.

But the problem is when we exaggerate how we see ourselves in a way that is unhealthy. I have often seen myself as bigger, taller, frumpier (technical, I know!), heavier…than I actually am. I have gotten caught up in seeing myself all wrong and all it does is defeat me. Suddenly I go from strong and confident to “why am I even trying”. It’s a dangerous path.

Maybe you have seen yourself in a similar way. Maybe you feel like you will never measure up on the outside. Never thin enough. Never pretty enough. Never fashionable enough. What thoughts defeat you?

When I start to go there, I am learning to recognize those thoughts, name them, and disclaim them. God wants us to see ourselves with new eyes, new vision, and a new perspective. He wants us to see ourselves as His “treasured possession.” (Psalm 135:4) He wants us to see ourselves as lovely, beautiful, and chosen. He made us, and He wants us to remember that.

So how do we see ourselves differently? These three phrases seem to be grabbing my attention today…

CAPTURE THE THOUGHTS

REPLACE THEM WITH TRUTH

DRAW CLOSE TO GOD AND HIS WORD

Let’s dive into each one.

CAPTURE THE THOUGHTS: The moment you catch yourself envisioning yourself as something you are not, capture that thought and give it straight to the Lord. “Take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5. Maybe pray something like this, “Lord, this thought is lingering in my head. It’s such a common thought, that I have started to believe it. Please take it. Please change my vision of myself. Show me how You see me.”

REPLACE THEM WITH TRUTH: After you have given that thought over to the Lord, ask Him to replace it with His truth. Dig into His Word and find treasures that are there just for you. Here’s one I love: “I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Psalm 139:1 Then ask the Lord to help you believe that He sees you as lovely, strong, beautiful, and brave. Ask Him to help you remember that His power is in you.

DRAW CLOSE TO GOD AND HIS WORD: Nothing will satisfy our hearts and change our vision of how we see God and how we see ourselves like drawing close to God and spending time in His Word. Carve out time each day to soak in His Word, to sit still in His presence, to pray about the concerns of your heart, and to learn about Him through His Word. Nothing will change your vision like the presence of God.

So today, whether you are about to leap onto the stage in front of thousands or you are a stay at home mama about to embark on a busy day, see yourself with new eyes. You are loved. You are beautiful. You are strong. You are God’s daughter.