I wrote earlier about “What Do You Think of God?” The premise was that the image that comes to mind when we think of God defines how we relate to Him, and that a flawed image interferes with that relationship.

Well, the same is true on the other side, as well. How we see ourselves also defines how we relate to God, and to others. If we think too highly of ourselves, our pride can cause us to demean others, or to defy God. If we think too little of ourselves, our insecurity can cause us to give everyone around us too much power, or to not fully embrace the life that God has given to us.

In speaking about someone who needs treatment for addiction but is unlikely to accept it, I phrased it as “The addict has to be honest with himself first.” That fact is equally true for all of us. We can’t improve good points or fix bad ones unless we are completely honest about them. That means seeing them in the light of the true standard: God’s plan for our lives.

I’m me. I’m not like anyone else. I’m not meant to be. God created me with a specific combination of traits, intended to fit a particular spot in His plan. Even though I am sinful and flawed, I am also greatly loved and uniquely made in God’s image. So are you!

Let’s look for the balance between the two extremes that are a part of every human being.

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Sinful and Flawed

First, the Non-Spiritual Aspect

There are things that don’t come naturally to me. Some take a lot of work, and some are probably hopeless.

• While I can enjoy several forms of exercise, no one will ever accuse me of being naturally athletic.
• A friend is trying to help me learn to sing better, but the Metropolitan Opera is unlikely to ever come knocking at my door ¹.
• I can do some simple handcrafts, but I can’t draw anything more complex than a stick figure.
• I’d like to go out in public looking elegant, with stylish attire, nicely-styled hair, and flawless makeup…but I’m a slob who prefers sloppy comfortable clothes, wash-and-go hair, and no makeup.
• I’m not shy about starting a conversation with a stranger, but I’m miserable trying to keep up small talk in a crowded social situation.
• I hate clutter and can keep the house looking decent, but I’m lazy about really cleaning.

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I could go on, but you get the point. I’m sure you can make your own list of traits where you fall short of your ideal “you”. So could Moses:

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Then Moses said to the LORD, “Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past, nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.”
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But Moses said before the LORD, “Behold, I am unskilled in speech; how then will Pharaoh listen to me?”

Exodus 4:10, 6:30

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Then, the Spiritual Side

I am a sinner. I have a horrible habit of doing my own thing and ignoring God’s claim on me. I spend far too much time and energy on things I enjoy or think are important. But I spend far too little enjoying God and considering Him to be most important. I don’t seek Him out constantly, some days not at all. But I readily scream for His help when I have a problem.

I am usually too wrapped up in myself to see others with God’s eyes. I smile only superficially, or find fault easily. Too often, I don’t see the hurting soul behind the bad behavior, or feel the urgency of pointing that soul toward Jesus before it’s too late.

Sometimes I don’t like myself very much. I have to wonder why God does.

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How about you? Are there specific sins that especially bug you about yourself?

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…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 3:23

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Loved and Unique

First, the Non-Spiritual Aspect

God has given me an ability to learn quickly and easily, something I enjoy doing. If I read something, it usually sticks in my memory ². I love research and writing. Some natural ability, plus a career’s worth of training, allows me to deal with navigating bureaucracy and paperwork without going crazy (usually!).

I’m not afraid to try something new for the first time, something that I know is difficult for many people. For some reason ³, I am usually able to push past the fear of failure and the intimidation of being ignorant and clumsy, and just give it a try. In fact, I sometimes deliberately take the less-comfortable route just to force myself to stretch in a new direction. If I fail, so what? I’ll survive (unless it’s sky-diving!)

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Again, I’m sure you could make your own list of things that you do well, talents or traits that come easily to you. I suggest you actually do so: List activities that you like to do, traits that other people compliment, and good points about your personality type.

Remember to count the things that are so natural that they seem insignificant to you, but that are special to someone else. Not everyone remembers to send that card or make that phone call; not everyone easily offers a hug; not everyone smiles more often than they frown. Those things are important!

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I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Psalm 139:14

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Then, the Spiritual Side

God created me, as He has everyone…specifically, specially, and deliberately. He knows that I’m not an athlete or a singer or an artist. If He wanted me to be, He would have created me differently.

God loves me, as He does everyone, not because of anything I’ve done or can offer to Him, but just because He loves.

Jesus died for me, as He did for everyone, providing a solution to the sin that distresses me and separates me from God.

God has provided me with gifts from His Spirit, as He does to all who accept Jesus, that are intended to help His church carry out its mission in the world. One is the ability to maintain this website and write the articles for it. I can tell that gift is showing when an article just flows, practically writing itself and insisting to be transcribed onto the site.

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What is your favorite part of your relationship with God? What aspect of His gifts is especially meaningful to you?

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Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.
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For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

Revelation 4:11, John 3:16

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We Need To See Ourselves as God Does

When God looks at me, and at you, He doesn’t see just our flaws. He doesn’t see us as flawless, either. He simply sees us as His own, as His unique, complex, flawed-but-loved creation. And He delights in us!

That is something to celebrate, even while continuing to grow. We haven’t yet arrived, and won’t until we reach Heaven. But, thanks to Jesus, we are on the way!

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:18

Note: Similar articles on this site include “Identity“, “You Are Special!“, and “Infinitely Valuable“.

1. I may someday be able to sing Happy Birthday without offending the birthday person, though. 😁
2. Things I hear, not so much. My eyes take in information better than my ears do.
3. Obviously a gift from God, not an advantage that I could have caused in myself!