Lovable and Capable

 ““When men strive together and hit a pregnant woman, so that her children come out, but there is no harm, the one who hit her shall surely be fined, as the woman’s husband shall impose on him, and he shall pay as the judges determine. But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.” Exodus 21:22-25 ESV

‭‭

I had this verse recently in a devotional. But the devotional was about identity, so I was confused about how this verse could apply to how I see myself? 

I really had to think about it for awhile. I believe the Spirit helped me to see that perhaps this verse is about valuing life. Not only someone else’s but my own. 

I believe how we see ourselves can reflect how we treat others. 

If we see ourselves as loved and cherished by God it will be easier to see others in the same light. 

I am reminded of this verse from Matthew 6:26,  “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”

‭‭

Which begs the question, do I believe I am valued by God? Do I believe I am of value at all?

In my past I would say no

I was painfully shy, very insecure, felt like I could disappear and no one would take notice 

I felt insignificant, rejected, pushed aside 

Thus my thirst for approval 

My strong need to feel loved by someone, anyone which led to a lot of wrong choices 

There was a woman in my past, who left a positive impression on my life, she passed away years ago from cancer but I have never forgotten a lesson she taught me. 

She had me write out a simple message 

“You are lovable and capable”

I had to put it on my mirror and read it every day 

Only problem was, at that time, I would never look at myself in the mirror, that’s how much I loathed myself 

But slowly and surely I started and was able to do the task

It took a very long time for me to believe those words were true of me

I believe that because of the work of Jesus in my life He is healing those wounds, helping me slowly and steadily see myself as He sees me

To see myself as valued in His eyes

Fully loved; fully forgiven 

And as Isaiah 43:4(ESV) says, “Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you…”

That is a Bible verse that helps me through those moments when someone’s unkind words cut like a knife 

When the lies of the enemy scream in my mind, “not worthy”, “not good enough”, “never measure up”

I am learning to replace these lies with the truth of who God says I am. That I am chosen and dearly loved; fearfully and wonderfully made; precious in His eyes and honored; I have been redeemed. 

And as needed, I remind myself of these truths every moment of every day. ‭‭