I think people have been so focusing on the pandemic, they forgot fluffy was coming for us. I’ve been joking, I ate and ate and ate so much that I’m no longer a size eight. 🙂
Maybe you struggle with your weight or wrinkles or body image, too. The hardest part is that in a media-savvy world, our kids and grandkids can pick up on these thoughts, too.
Our precious kiddos are stunning, but they don’t always see themselves this way.
That’s why we’ve got to instill the truth of Scripture in them and us (and that’s what the new God’s Power in Me for Kids equips you to do through devos and 90-second daily declarations!)
Let me ask: Is this a message for you or your kids/grandkids or both?
Do you love every inch of yourself? Do you like your nose, your hair, your body? Your personality?
When I was nine years old, I was totally happy with myself until one of the kids in my class said something mean about my size. I didn’t even know I was that much bigger anyone else until she said that, and suddenly I was ashamed of my body. So that no one would stare at my body I never let anyone stand behind me. I tucked myself toward the back of every line. I was just so embarrassed.
When we start to compare ourselves to others, we start to judge ourselves, and when we judge ourselves as less good than someone else, it starts a pattern of negative thoughts: You’re not smart enough. You’re not pretty enough. You weigh too much.
Maybe when you look in the mirror, you feel shame or turn away feeling icky.
The trouble with all of this negative self-talk is that it doesn’t just stop with your looks and your brains, it sometimes spreads over to how you feel about your soul.
If your outside is ugly, then your inside must be ugly too. When you start to think like that, you can start to feel like no one could ever love you. You might feel isolated and alone, too ugly or stupid for anyone to spend time with.
If you’ve ever felt like that, let me tell you a little secret: You, my dear friend, were made in the image of God. You are the object of his love. He made you just the way you are for a very special reason. You are his child, his own.
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You are embedded with wonder upon wonder.
What makes you so beautiful? The glory of Christ living in you.
Our infinite God created you to show his glory to the world. When you say, “I’m not pretty enough, or smart enough, or anything enough,” you point a finger at God and say, “You are not as good an artist as you think you are.”
So remember you are fearfully and wonderfully made. Praise God for that today. Thank him for every physical inch of you. Praise him every day. As God’s child, you are beautiful beyond measure and a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.
Imagine reading this devo from God’s Power in Me with your precious children or grandchildren. Friends, this isn’t just a message for kids, this is a message for us today!
On October 12, Zondervan released my first ever children’s book!
God’s Power in Me: 52 Devotions and Declarations for Kids is an interactive 52-day devotional that encourages young boys and girls 8-12, those amazing pre-teens, to break free from negative thinking and focus on the positive truths of who God made them to be.
If a child you know is struggling with fear or comparison or shame about their bodies or feeling less than, God’s Power in Me will help them know the truth of who they are in Jesus! It’s perfect for family devotions! And you can join them in this journey by reading the adult devotional, More Power To You: 52 Devotions to Break Free From Fear and Take Your Life Back.
Order a copy for the kids and families you love!
And let me know what you’re seeing kids wrestle with most (negative thoughts, bullying, anxiety, etc.) by commenting below.
