Do you love yourself?

Many people like to compare themselves with others.

No matter how beautiful, rich, successful, smart and talented they are, they will still think that someone else is better than them. That they want to be like this person or that person. That if only I am a bit taller, fatter, slimmer, bigger eyes, thinner lips and so on and so one. This is the way of the world.

As a child, I often heard comparison and remarks made on me and my peers. People like to compare from heights, sizes, physical looks to academic results. It made me wanted to be someone that others want me to be and not being the unique person that God has made me to be.

I often thought I was not good enough even when I have tried my best. As a reaction to others' expectation, I was determined that I did not want to fall into the typical categories of what others said that I was not.

Even as a child, I was quite stubborn in what I believe as right. Although in pride I thought I was doing the right thing, but I did not realise that deep down, I was just denying the fact that I did not like myself that much. The comments that people made of me did affect my confidence and my self-image no matter how much I had chosen not to believe them.

So even I did not care much of my appearances as I strongly believed that looks did not matter, I did cherish the good comments that my aunt gave me. I remember them until today. Although she is no longer around, I would never forget the compliments that she told me as a child. She told me that I was beautiful and that I was fearfully and wonderfully made in God's image. Of course at that time, I did not know what that meant but I do now.

As a result, I did not really think much about physical appearance. I was determined to see past the superficial because one is not judge by their looks. Up until today, although I am still holding onto the same belief, many of my wrong perceptions have changed (Thanks be to God! :))

I learned what it means to truly love myself and enjoy being me. I no longer need to fight off other people's expectations and comments as I know who I am. Therefore, who I am is no longer determined by the world's standards but by God alone. I do not need to strive to be someone that I am not. God showed me the condition of my heart and helped me to renew my mind. He teach me how to appreciate myself, that looking pretty is not wrong per se and enable me to thank Him sincerely for the look, the height, the size, the outer and the inner person that He has so intricately woven and knitted me to be.

If I hadn't known this, I would not be able to love others sincerely. I was Him that first loved me, that first shown me who I am made to be and how wonderful I am, that I was able to love, cherish and appreciate others. Comparison and superficial judgements are no longer acceptable to me although I still need to be graceful to those who still do.

Thank You, Lord for all that You have done, the wonderful things that You have put in me and on me :) I am Yours and I love Your wonderful masterpiece who is me!