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To the Girl Who Doesn’t Know She Is Worthy

It was 5th grade. I was tall for my age, especially in my small town and equally small school. Not slight nor dainty, but strong and athletic. Instead of skinny, I was fit. I appreciated my athletic abilities, but never felt comfortable in my own skin. I wanted a slimmer, bonier, and shorter version of myself. One more like my mother or my sisters … or my friends.

To the Girl Who Doesn't Know She is Worthy - In the reflection of whose mirror do you determine your worth? Is it out of the brokenness of man and the world? Or out of the One whose love is perfect and unfailing? #ChosenandWorthy - Lori Schumaker

We were at recess playing kickball. The captains were named and they began picking teams. Because I was, hands down the best kickball player there, I was always picked first or second.

The game started and I kicked the ball far over all the bobbing heads in the outfield. As I ran my victory lap and crossed home plate, it happened.

 “I guess she threw all her fat into that one!”

The words came from one of the slimmer, bonier, non-athletic girls. The kind I longed to look like.

The words hurt deeply.

You know when it literally feels as though your heart drops into your stomach? I still remember it today.

Words lasting merely two seconds served as a loaded weapon for the enemy’s attack on a young girl’s fragile and already broken identity.

In that moment I allowed words to define me because I didn’t know Jesus well enough. I didn’t know about the powerful Truth of His love for me.

When I looked at myself, I saw the reflection of those words used against me. And as the years moved forward, I locked into that mirror view. A view from the wrong reflection. A view reflecting the words and actions of others. Of the acquaintances, friends, and family. Of the culture and of the media. Of expectations and traditions.

I didn’t see myself in the mirror of truth. In the reflection of Christ the

Healer

Redeemer

Omnipresent

Omnipotent

Comforter

Grace-giver

Father

What about you? How do you see yourself? In which mirror are you looking?

In which mirror are you looking for your worth? #ChosenandWorthy #hope #reflections Click To Tweet

In the mirrors of the trauma, abuse, or neglect that dug ugly claws into your life? Or maybe in the ridicule, teasing, or bullying you experienced as a child? Or possibly, it was in the simple words of condemnation you received when you made a mistake?

To the Girl Who Doesn't Know She is Worthy - In the reflection of whose mirror do you determine your worth? Is it out of the brokenness of man and the world? Or out of the One whose love is perfect and unfailing? #ChosenandWorthy - Lori Schumaker

The enemy is diligent, but not creative. He uses deception well, manipulating the brokenness of others into a tool inflicting pain upon the innocent. The unknowing. The unaware.

But, friends, looking into the wrong mirrors isn’t where we have to stay. You see, our God is bigger than any weapon formed against us. He will fight for us and He always wins.

Our God is bigger than any weapon formed against us #ChosenandWorthy #prayerforidentity #worthy #hope #identity Click To Tweet

The truth is, though, we can’t live unaware. We must open our eyes, seek God’s wisdom and speak His truth over the lies. We must begin to look in that mirror and see ourselves in the reflection of Christ. A reflection that says we are worthy.

  1. When we see ourselves in the reflection of our Savior, we see beauty in the way He uniquely created us. We see an inside and outside wired and crafted by a God who created the oceans, the moon, the sun, and all things beautiful!

For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! –Psalm 95:3-6

But when we see ourselves in the reflection of man, we see what he has deemed beautiful through the lens of the brokenness he brings to the table. We strive to achieve it and grieve when we cannot.

  1. When we see ourselves in the reflection of Jesus, we see our worth in who we are as opposed to what we do. He called us wonderful long before we were born. Wonderful because we are His workmanship, not because of anything we have done or have yet to do.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. –Psalm 139:14

But when we see ourselves in the reflection of man, we see our worth in our ability to meet the demands of each unique and broken human that stands before us. The criterion sways as does the depth and span of brokenness. Meeting each set of criteria is impossible, yet we strive to do so. Inevitably we come face-to-face with failure far too often.

  1. When we see ourselves in the reflection of Christ, we see worth in His unfailing love, unending grace, and unwavering forgiveness. He is willing to go to the ends of the earth to find us and bring us into His loving embrace.

What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish. –Matthew 18:12-14

But when we see ourselves in the reflection of man, we see our worth in another’s limited ability to love fully. Human love flows out of a reserve only as deep as our individual brokenness and imperfection. By its own nature, it is a love never capable of meeting another’s full need. So we strive, hoping to be “enough”. Deserving enough. Worthy enough.

So, friends, are you willing to set down the wrong mirror? Are you willing to look away from the reflection of man and the world that he lives in? And are you willing to pick up the right mirror and see yourself in the reflection of the God who holds His arms wide, embraces your every broken place, calls you wonderful, and loves you without end?

Are you willing to see yourself as #ChosenandWorthy?

Let’s pray this together:

A Prayer to See Myself As #ChosenandWorthy - To the Girl Who Doesn't Know She is Worthy - Lori Schumaker
Want the printable version of this prayer? You can find it along with many other resources in the Library of Hope!


In case this is your first visit here, but want more of #ChosenandWorthy, check out the posts below!

Encouraging & Equipping Women to Escape a Broken Identity; Join me and an array of gifted writers, authors, bloggers, and speakers as we journey from a broken identity to one firmly rooted in Christ. Lori Schumaker #ChosenandWorthy

Do your thoughts easily stray down a self-defeating path where every wrong turn, whether big or small, leaves a shame filled mark on your heart? Friends, let's say "no" to shame and trade those thoughts for ones that align with truth. The truth that says you are chosen and worthy! - #ChosenandWorthy - Lori Schumaker

Yes, you are "More Than a Victim"! It can be all too tempting to keep "picking at" the trauma from our past. Even if our history is littered with injuries from others or unavoidable circumstances, it is our choice to continue living with a "wounded" mentality. - Gretchen Fleming for Lori Schumaker and the #ChosenandWorthy Series



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8 Comments

  1. God bless you, Lori. I always get your email updates. And what you wrote always comforts me through the dark times I am facing now. Thank you so much.

    1. Tina,
      I am so humbly grateful for our loving God who has reached in to comfort you through the words I have written here. Please know I would be honored to pray for you, so please message me if you have anything specifically for which you would like me to pray.
      Hugs,
      Lori

  2. Girls, especially the millennials should read this.

    1. I pray girls struggling with recognizing their true worth, do read this. And I pray God works through it! It is a tough time for girls to be growing up. It was difficult enough for all other generations, but now girls have social media which is a 24/7 onslaught of the opinions of the world! Thanks for visiting, Lux!

  3. I absolutely love this post,Lori! A WORTHY GOD SEES YOU AND I MOST WORTHY THROUGH HIS EYES.
    God bless,
    Diana

    1. Amen, Diana! He does see us, call us, and seal us with His love, calling us worthy! Thanks so much for the kind words. I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
      Blessings and smiles,
      Lori

  4. Sherri Crane says:

    Thank you for this encouragement. Very meaningful to my heart.