Mirror Image

 

Mirror Reflections Google Images

Satan's Lies

Look in the mirror. Who do you see? What would be your 1-word description?

Do any of the following mean anything? Unwanted. Uninvited. Substitute. Unwelcome. 

No? Great. God has blessed you with confidence and acceptance in your life. And that's wonderful.

However, in the article, Global Crisis of Self-Esteem: An Epidemic Affecting Humanity, approximately 85% of adults suffer from low self-worth, affecting perception, values, and abilities. A person might be incredibly gifted, but if their self-perception is suffering, they will likely brush off their ability to create as not that big a deal and never realize the potential their special abilities might await them (Enhance Healing, Henshaw, 2025).

Scripture tells us, "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7a) and also, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits" (Proverbs 18:21).

Struggles with that person in the mirror don't begin at birth. They are fostered over time, seemingly reinforced by others' responses and reactions to situations that deepen the wound. Each time the mirror image is faced, there is a little more distortion until one day, it is viewed with disdain and condemnation.

For some, this is remedied by intentional positive self-talk. For some, positive self-talk is merely behavior modification, but doesn't change the way their heart perceives them. This group of people will need to dig around to find the root cause of their faulty belief system. This person may love God but doubt His love fully. They may hear words of affirmation, cling to them, and as the words fade into memory, find themselves battling the same insecurities they grew up with.

For example, there was a girl who in Kindergarten was teased by other girls in the school bathroom because she was wearing glasses. A few years later, perhaps at 8 years old, she befriended the neighbor across the street. Days later, the friend met this girl at the door, refusing to welcome her in, saying, "My best friend and I had a fight. We're back together again, so we don't need you." The girl walked back home, heartbroken. Message received. Uninvited.

God's TRUTH

Years passed, and the girl grew into a young woman. At 21 years of age, she paid her best friend's family a visit at the funeral home where her friend's body was on display. Anyone who would come in contact with the young woman would let her know they were sorry, but their circle of friends was full. Uninvited. 

More years rolled by, until one day the woman realized she had many friendly encounters but sadly no close friends. She didn't trust ... even God's friendship. His words to her were true, but how deep did they go? If she truly fell into His arms, would he catch her, or let her know He's too busy caring for his other precious children?

The woman had a decision to make. Trust or continue to hold her King at arm's length? Take the risk, or play it safe and miss out on something truly beautiful and full of wonder?

The choice is easy. The execution of that decision, not so much.

Sometimes it is important to go back to that initial wound and tell that little girl, "It's okay. You are beautiful." Forgive the other girls who, at 5, had no idea what they were doing. And move on to the next one. Tell the 8-year-old she's got a fantastic friend in Jesus who will never turn His back on her. Tell her she's wanted. Hold the 21-year-old until the tears run dry and let her know she's got someone to talk to about her dreams and aspirations. She's not alone.

Jesus holds out His hand to his daughters every day. He longs to carry the burdens and strengthen His daughters. He told his disciples, "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5).

The Bible is filled with truths of God's thoughts towards His creation. What would happen if His daughters began to stand on these words and believed Him? At the end of the day, there is only One who can turn the broken-hearted into joy-filled kingdom women.

Together, let's step into His cleansing words of Truth. 💕 And one day, the mirror image perception will fall into line with God's word. All for His glory!

Until next time, Karlene J 💝 

Not My Will

Prayer courtesy of Google Images

Would I be mistaken to say that everyone wants a guarantee?

Whether it's a major purchase like an automobile, a home, a furnace, a television, a computer, or something less costly like a gallon of milk, we want to be assured of quality.

There is no difference in prayer. We want to know that our prayers are heard, but also that they will be answered. Not some birthday wish, but every time we call on Him and say, "Please, God, fill this need." 

Scripture tells us in several places that when we ask believing we have received, it will be ours (John 16:24; Hebrews 4:16; 1 John 5:15; Mark 11:24; John 14:13). 

I would like to both encourage and caution us in this. Here's why:

It's tempting to decide for ourselves what is best for us. We present our requests to the Lord, and expect Him to comply. We quote our favorite Scriptures back to Him, knowing this will oblige Him to fulfill His promise to us. And while this is not entirely wrong, it holds dangerous barbs that may eventually cut and scar us.

It wasn't long ago that I realized I held some resistance to prayer. I'd fallen for the trap that if I had prayed hard enough, quoted the right scriptures, and believed without any doubt, my prayers would be answered. In the end, my friend left this earth for heaven, and my heart shattered, leaving me with self-doubt, guilt, and shame. Either I didn't believe enough, or something was wrong with my approach to the Scripture.

David and the Ark of the Covenant

King David encountered something similar. He heard the ark had been sent back to the area. And he, with several of his men, went to retrieve it from the Philistines. The people celebrated. They had defeated their enemy and reclaimed the Ark of the Covenant. Then, the unthinkable. The oxen pulling the cart that carried the ark stumbled. Uzzah, one of David's men, reached out his hand to steady it. And he was struck down and died. 

David returned home, angry with the LORD, for it was a good thing they were doing, wasn't it? Shouldn't God have been pleased that they were bringing this sacred piece of the temple back to its rightful place, Israel? Instead of completing its journey, David left it at the home of Obed-Edom, where it remained for three months. During this time, David spent his days researching the Scripture to learn God's prescribed method of transporting the Ark.

After three months, the Ark was retrieved and brought home. This time, David brought the priests and the animals for sacrifice. He ensured everything was done according to God's instructions. And there was an abundance of rejoicing, dancing, and worship (2 Samuel 6).

In Acts 13:22, David is called a man after God's own heart. This man made many mistakes, including adultery and murder, and yet was noted by God himself as being one who does His will.

Similarly, when we look to God for answers, and receive anything but our desired response, we need to go back and learn. 

Was our request our will, or God's?

Just because it's a good thing doesn't always mean it's God's will.

Remember David and the Ark? His desire to bring the Ark back to Jerusalem was good. His heart was pure in this. But it wasn't God's prescribed method, and David saw disappointment, even frustration in his plan.

What could be missing from our prayer requests?

John wrote, "And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us (1 John 5:14 ESV). If we were to go back to the Lord's Prayer (Model Prayer) in Matthew 6:9-13, Jesus teaches His disciples (us) to pray, asking for God's will to be done on earth as in heaven. We also witness Jesus telling His disciples, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of His own accord, but only what He sees the Father doing. For whatever teh Father does, that the Son does likewise" (John 5:19). Later, when Jesus was in the garden at Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-39), we see Jesus praying, ending with "nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will" (v39).

Are we asking according to His will?

Are we willing to give up our own idea of His will and surrender to His?

Just like bringing the Ark back to Jerusalem was a good thing, doing it in the manner that God will bless is vital. Working extra hours to pay the bills is good motivation, but is it God's plan? Perhaps He wants to show Himself strong on your behalf.

Don't sacrifice God's best for what we believe is good.

Spend time in His presence. Ask, as Solomon did, "Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?" (1Kings 3:9 ESV).

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

and He will make straight your paths.

Be not wise in your own eyes;

fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

It will be healing to your flesh

and refreshment to your bones.

Proverbs 3:5-8 ESV

Until we meet again, Karlene J 💝