When You're Not Sure You Like the Real You
by Cynthia Jennings on September 16, 2020Have you ever heard the phrase, “just be yourself?” Then someone says, “why are you wearing that?” or “You like that?” Within you become instantly uncomfortable being yourself.
I’ve even told myself, “just be yourself.” Especially when I’m getting ready to meet new people or walk into a situation where I feel a bit awaked or uncomfortable.
In the past, and yes even sometimes now, I think about if I’m the true me, others won’t like me. This isn’t something I’ve made up in my mind—I’ve face situations where I was the “real me” and faced people’s displeasures.
But I’ve learned and come to accept I cannot change people’s opinions of me. And more importantly I certainly should not be changing the way God made me! So, the questions are no longer “will others like me? “but “will I like myself?”
The funny part of this, God has something specific to say about how we think about how He made us. Scripture says: “But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, ‘Why have you made me like this?’” (Romans 9:20 ESV).
In this passage of scripture God calls Himself the molder of me (and you). As our Maker, He knew exactly what He was doing when He made us the way we are. Talkative, quiet, energetic, laid back, creative, or the one who often is just the observer. God knew these were traits He would use along with the gifts He has given each of us. The traits we possess when honed by God, will glorify Him.
When God made us, He knew exactly what He was doing! He knew you needed to be an extrovert or introvert, outgoing and energetic or laid back and quiet. God not only tells us to not question why He made us a certain way, but He gets to decide how He will use His creation!
I had to learn the true reason why we need to know in the depths of our souls who we are. God made us, what He made is good and He will use what He made for His glory!
PEARLStoPONDER: Thank you Father for making me exactly the way you made me! There is a part of me that I’m struggling with liking about myself. Help me that part of me the way you see and molded me.
Isaiah 45:9--“Woe to him who strives with him who formed him, a pot among earthen pots! Does the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’ or ‘Your work has no handles’?
Romans 9:20-- But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?”
1 John 4:19--We love because he first loved us.
I’ve even told myself, “just be yourself.” Especially when I’m getting ready to meet new people or walk into a situation where I feel a bit awaked or uncomfortable.
In the past, and yes even sometimes now, I think about if I’m the true me, others won’t like me. This isn’t something I’ve made up in my mind—I’ve face situations where I was the “real me” and faced people’s displeasures.
But I’ve learned and come to accept I cannot change people’s opinions of me. And more importantly I certainly should not be changing the way God made me! So, the questions are no longer “will others like me? “but “will I like myself?”
The funny part of this, God has something specific to say about how we think about how He made us. Scripture says: “But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, ‘Why have you made me like this?’” (Romans 9:20 ESV).
In this passage of scripture God calls Himself the molder of me (and you). As our Maker, He knew exactly what He was doing when He made us the way we are. Talkative, quiet, energetic, laid back, creative, or the one who often is just the observer. God knew these were traits He would use along with the gifts He has given each of us. The traits we possess when honed by God, will glorify Him.
When God made us, He knew exactly what He was doing! He knew you needed to be an extrovert or introvert, outgoing and energetic or laid back and quiet. God not only tells us to not question why He made us a certain way, but He gets to decide how He will use His creation!
I had to learn the true reason why we need to know in the depths of our souls who we are. God made us, what He made is good and He will use what He made for His glory!
PEARLStoPONDER: Thank you Father for making me exactly the way you made me! There is a part of me that I’m struggling with liking about myself. Help me that part of me the way you see and molded me.
Isaiah 45:9--“Woe to him who strives with him who formed him, a pot among earthen pots! Does the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’ or ‘Your work has no handles’?
Romans 9:20-- But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?”
1 John 4:19--We love because he first loved us.
