Loving Yourself the Way God Made You

​Everyone can name things about themselves that they don’t like.  The time we spend analyzing those qualities that we don’t like can be never-ending. It is easy to stand in front of a mirror and critique ourselves.  “If only I was smarter, then I wouldn’t have to spend so much time on studying.”  “If I was a more natural disciplinarian, my children would behave better at school.”  “I’ve gained so much weight, I don’t even want to be seen in public.”  Whether it is weight, grades, athletic ability, or negative personality qualities, everyone has a list of things that they want to change about themselves.  

​Why do we have such negative views about ourselves?  First of all, everyone naturally compares themselves to others.  When we see someone who has a great quality, we admire and focus on that.  While we’re concentrating on how great they are at that specific thing, we neglect seeing anything else about them that they might need to improve.  Another reason might be that our society says that we should not only appear perfect, but our perfection should also seem effortless. No matter what your flaws are, hating yourself is not healthy.  Focusing on your flaws and hating yourself isn’t something that God wants.  Everyone does have positive and negative qualities, but we are all blessed that God made us so wonderfully.  He created us the way that we are for a purpose, and that purpose is to utilize our gifts and live for Him. 

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

Leah Whitson is a junior Human Social Services major at Wisconsin Lutheran College, and the Resident Support Intern here at New Beginnings.   After college she plans to pursue a Master's in Social Work, and one day she hopes to use her experience at New Beginnings as a good foundation .   During her free time Leah likes to travel, play with her dogs, and spend time with her fiancé.