(2) Accept the Skin You're In

How do you view yourself? Are you pleased with your physical make-up or do you think there are a few “design flaws”? Perhaps there are some things that need to be changed, adjusted, enlarged, shrunk, tucked. Or, perhaps you need to see yourself as God does.  Re-read Psalm 139:13-18 and notice carefully how God sees you.

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous-- how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. 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. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!  I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me! (Psalm 139:13-18 NLT)

What is God’s view of you? He says that you, and every human being, are a unique work of God’s creativity, specially crafted according to His infinite wisdom and skill to serve a specific purpose in His grand design.

Our lives, with whatever weaknesses, frailties, limitations and even “defects” from man’s perspective contribute to our fulfilling God’s purpose to bring glory to Himself through our lives. You need to recognize that God has a purpose and plan for every aspect of your physical make-up – even the things you consider “flaws”.

Bring all who claim me as their God, for I have made them for my glory. It was I who created them.'" (Isaiah 43:7 NLT)

You were custom designed to bring Him glory in a unique way according to your unique design. So whatever weaknesses, frailties, limitations or supposed flaws you have are part of God’s special design to get glory for Himself from your life!

Many people don’t appreciate how they were created. In response to an objection over how God created man and how He has chosen to rule His creation, Paul says, "No, don't say that. Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, "Why have you made me like this?" (Romans 9:20 NLT)

What did God say when we were created? “Very good!” What does it mean then when I say I have a flaw or defect in my physical make-up? When I call “bad” or undesirable what God has created for His glory and called “good” I am accusing God of making an error in creating me. When I resent some aspect of my physical make-up and question God’s wisdom in making me the way I am, I am insulting the wisdom of God and putting myself above God. I say I’m a better judge of how I should have been created!

Next:  (3) Doubly Designed for Glory