Who do you see?

I am certain that one of the greatest strongholds that Satan has in the lives of women today is in regards to our perception. More specifically, our perception of ourselves. Many times when we look in the mirror, we are blind to what is actually staring back at us. It's almost as if we look into a mirror that has been distorted.

Instead of seeing our kindness through our smile, we see teeth that could be more straight...whiter.

Instead of seeing hair that the Bible talks about being a woman's glory, we notice the split ends and roots.

Instead of seeing our integrity through our eyes, we see the bags and black circles.

Instead of seeing our hands that have the ability to give and give generously, we see unfinished nails and dry skin.

Instead of patting our stomach and being thankful for food to eat, we pull at it in utter disgust.

Instead of standing in confidence, we slouch in discontent.

And instead of believing who God, our creator, tells us we are....we believe the lies Satan tells us.

Did you know that before Satan fell from heaven, he was known as one of the most beautiful angels of all? Ironic how we struggle with that today, huh? Because if we truly knew how beautiful we were....think of how Satan would feel. And we wouldn't want him to feel bad would we?! (enter sarcasm)

We have got in to the vicious cycle of comparing, competing and complacency. We are literally self-destructing and allowing Satan to take away who we truly are. Don't be defeated. Don't give up and don't give in. FIGHT. The bible says that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. We are held responsible, not only for what we physically put into our bodies, but also for what we emotionally and spiritually do to our bodies.

The first step is realizing the stronghold that Satan has in our lives when it comes to who we are believing ourselves to be. For some of us, he has got a hold on our perception. Some have said that the eyes are the windows of the soul....

I have to be completely honest and say that this blog and the words that are flowing from my fingertips and speaking to a struggle that I have and have had. I realize that it is a daily struggle for me....to accept who God says I am and to take my perception and put it back in the hands of the one who created it in the first place. It's kind of like putting on spiritual contacts. Every morning when I wake up, everything is distorted and blurry until I put my contacts in and I see things for what they truly are. Its interesting how everything changes when my contacts go in. Without them, my face is scrunched up and I am constantly glaring because I can't truly see...I looked upset and frustrated (which eventually I become). Then, when my contacts go in, my face literally changes, along with my attitude and perception. I am finding out that the same is true when we choose to put on our "spiritual contacts" and allow God to change our perception.

I realize that if I do not choose to make an effort and change my perception of myself and learn to be happy with who God created me to be, then not only am I miserable and not living life the way God intended me to live, but I am also setting an example for the young women God has entrusted me with. I have this rule that I give my cheerleaders on the first day of practice each year and its "You can not say anything negative about yourself or others" and if they do...20 push-ups! I don't do in hopes to punish them, but I do it so that they would hopefully notice how what they say about themselves affects what they believe about themselves. The first two weeks of practice, there is always a lot of push-ups going on, but eventually the girls catch themselves and they realize how often they are negative about their image and they slowly begin to change. If only they could see how beautiful they truly are, inside and out. If only we could see how beautiful we are. Beautiful. Created with a purpose and passion in the image of God himself.

I am reminding myself this morning that:

I am born of God, and the evil one cannot harm me. (1 John 5:18)

I am confident that the good work that God has begun in me will be perfected. (Philippians 1:6)

I am free from any condemning charges against me. (Romans 8:31)

I can find grace and mercy in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

I am hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:3)

I have not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)

I cannot be separated from the love of God. (Romans 8:35)

I am a citizen of heaven. (Philippians 3:20)

I am free forever from condemnation. (Romans 8:1-2)

I have been established, anointed and sealed by God. (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)