ARE YOU PLEASED WITH HOW GOD CREATED YOU?

BIBLE PASSAGE:
If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, 
they deceive themselves. 
(Galatians 6:3)

MEDITATION:
Have you ever wondered why some people want to disguise who they really are?
We all like to show our best side to others, 
but there are some who show a side that is not even theirs.
They create an image in their mind of who they want to be 
and make every effort to become that person.

In order to maintain that image, some spend beyond their means 
to get the most expensive and extravagant possessions they can find.
Some of their purchases are seldom used, but they are available 
whenever they want to impress others and boast about what they own. 
The truth is, 
their possessions own them because their identity depends on them.

There is nothing wrong with being proud of doing a good job, 
but according to the scriptures, some allow their successes 
to make them feel superior to others.
Paul says that they have “deceived themselves” 
into believing they are “something when they are not”.

Whenever we can accept ourselves as God’s creation and know that He formed 
us in a way that individualizes us as He wants us to be, 
we can enjoy being comfortable with who we are 
and we do not feel the need to re-identify ourselves.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; 
your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139:14)
 
Our faults should not make us feel inferior to others, 
because they have faults as well 
(even though we may not be able to detect their faults, they are there).
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)

Paul tells us that if we feel the need to brag, then we should be proud of how 
the Lord has saved us and separated us from the influence of a sinful world.
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through 
which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. (Galatians 6:14)

Think about his advice for a moment.
First of all Paul is saying that he is proud of how God made him.
Secondly, he is implying that separating ourselves from the influence 
of the world is a much greater achievement than anything else we can do.
Thirdly, he gives credit to the Lord for his success.

ACTION:
Whenever you hear the phrase “separated from the world”, it may 
create in your mind an image of becoming an isolationist who is antisocial, 
or an elitist who thinks he is better than anyone else.
It doesn’t mean that at all; it simply means 
that you can live in the world without the world living in you.

In other words, you have exchanged the sinful influences of the world 
for the righteous influences of the Lord.
You still live your life and interact with others, but you have accepted 
the boundaries God has created, and you have a desire to stay within them.

As an example, whenever you want something, you don’t steal it, 
but you work so you can afford it, and you don’t hold back your tithes 
to the Lord in order to get it (which God says is stealing from Him).

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for making me the person I am. Forgive 
me for any lack of appreciation for Your handiwork and for allowing 
my self-esteem to be driven by how I compare with others. Help me
to be content and happy with the way You have made me. Remind
of how proud I should be that Jesus went to the cross so that I no
longer have to be controlled by sinful desires, but I can rejoice in
the knowledge that I have a heavenly home waiting for me.”

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