Seeing Me As God Sees Me 1

Seeing Me as God Sees Me

1 Seeing Me as God Sees Me

2 Seeing Me as God Sees Me Contents

What We Say About Ourselves 3

Perspective 4

Interview with God 5

What Does That Mean to Me? 7

Daily Beliefs 10

3 Daily Steps to Change Your View 12

3 Seeing Me as God Sees Me What We Say About Ourselves

Do you ever have doubts about yourself? A decision? A choice? A certain area of your life? That part of your life no one else sees? Of course you do, we all do. Sometimes, however, we get stuck in one area. We get our perspective skewed. We begin tripping over ourselves because of one teeny-tiny skewed thought. It often begins bleeding over into other areas of our lives. Then we begin tripping over these pebbles and then the process begins snowballing. We lose sight of how amazing we are as uniquely created individuals. We doubt ourselves. We question our innate abilities. We question our personal calling, our focus, our mission…and our ability to fulfill it.

Sometimes we get so caught up in our inadequacy that we get stuck. We get confused about our next step. We get afraid that we might not make the grade. We worry about what others will think about us. And then again, we want to have support and encouragement from others. We doubt our work, our calling, how we can help others, and then we are not as effective as we could be and should be. We say things to ourselves such as:

 “I don’t know what to write to move someone.”

 “I’m not sure what to say to that person to make a connection.”

 “I’m afraid I’ll stumble on my words… They won’t come out right… I’ll make a fool of

myself… They’ll think I don’t know my stuff and then think I can’t help them.”

All these things we say to ourselves, tear ourselves down, and believe about ourselves. We want someone to tell us “good job,” “you’re so good at what you do,” “you are the best at what you do.” We need a boost, a pick-up, a shot in the arm. Little self-doubts get in our way and we repeat those doubts to ourselves. And then we forget who we really are. It all comes down to our core beliefs. No matter what we say to ourselves, our core beliefs dictate our responses.

4 Seeing Me as God Sees Me Perspective

The universe gives us a lot. It is immense - larger than any of us can truly conceive. Think of how small you feel when standing on the beach overlooking the ocean. To realize how small we are in comparison to the enormity of the ocean. Go there now. See yourself standing on the shore with the waves just lapping gently enough to tickle your toes. Look out at that great expanse. Perhaps there is a sailboat or some type of other personal watercraft the horizon. Further, perhaps, you can just make out the outline of a cargo ship. It barely looks like a toy. Then, look beyond that. The water carries on and on until it runs into the sky. Then you look up at the sky. It is so massive - so overwhelming. You feel so tiny in relation to this whole dynamic.

At that moment there is a definite change in perspective from all those things that seem so large and overpowering in our lives. Now, in relation to the ocean…the sky… the universe…we can regain some perspective. Now, imagine the One who created the universe - the Artist who designed such a great and vast and enormous entity. The One, who so magnificently created this, created you and has more love and interest in you than you can begin to imagine. The One who is bigger than the Universe.

Bigger than our overwhelm. Bigger than our doubts…fears…and distractions. And guess what? He thinks you are completely amazing!

Just like our perspective adjusts as we stand on the shoreline, our perspective and beliefs change as we hold our perceptions up to The Master Artist and we begin to see and then, hopefully, grasp how

He sees us so differently than we see ourselves.

So, just how does the Creator of the universe view me? What does He think about me? Feel about me? Why don’t we ask Him and see what He says?

5 Seeing Me as God Sees Me Interview with God

Interviewer: So, um, Creator of the Universe, can You tell us a little about what You think about me?

Creator: You are altogether beautiful, my love, there is no flaw in you. i

Interviewer: Wow! I’m altogether beautiful, not just beautiful, but altogether beautiful. You call me “my love.” And you think I am flawless?

Creator: Let me read to you from the love letter I sent you:

I formed your inward parts … and knitted you together in your mother’s womb…you are fearfully and wonderfully made.ii

I know everything about you. I have searched you and I know you. I know your thoughts when they are far off. I am acquainted with all your ways. There is not a word about of your mouth that I do not know. I know when you sit down and I know when you rise up. I know your path. I have hedged you behind and before. I am always with you. If you go up to heaven, I am there. If you make your bed in the dark place, I am there. If you take wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost part of the sea, my hand will be there to lead you. If you say the darkness will be all around you - even in the darkest of nights, I will be with you. The dark and the light are the same to me. I will always see you and be with you. Before you were formed, I knew you. My thoughts of you number more than the sands on the beach.iii

When you are brokenhearted, I am close for you; when you are crushed in spirit, I will save you.iv

You are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you.v

I have loved you with an everlasting love. I have continued my faithfulness to you.vi

I have made you a little lower than the angels and I have crowned you with glory and honor.vii

You are a crown of beauty in my hands.viii

Interviewer: So you’re saying, You made me just the way I am. You are always with me. No 6 Seeing Me as God Sees Me matter where I go, up or down, You are with me. In daytime and nighttime, You are with me. You love me with an everlasting love. You are faithful to me. You have crowned me with glory and honor and

I’m a crown of beauty in your hands. You know everything there is to know about me, good and bad, and you love me with an everlasting love. That is pretty amazing. Even though, people have told me they love me before. Can you tell me more about why Yours is even better? What makes Your love for me so much better?

Creator: I am eternal.ix I am your refuge. I hold you in my everlasting arms.x I am never changing. I do not change my mind. xi I am truexii , justxiii, goodxiv, graciousxv, faithfulxvi. I am lovexvii.

I know your thoughtsxviii, your wordsxix, your deedsxx, your sorrowsxxi, your needxxii, your devotion,xxiii and your frailtiesxxiv. I know your past, present, and futurexxv.

I will rejoice over you with gladness. It will quiet you with my love. I will rejoice over you with singing.

Interviewer: I’m not sure what to say. If anybody I know and love knew everything there is to know about me, they probably wouldn’t love me very much. But, You know everything about me, and you love me even more than they can or I can begin to understand. Thank You.

7 Seeing Me as God Sees Me What Does That Mean to Me?

He knows we are beautiful, lovable, and perfect - just the way He made us. When we gain complete understanding of that, when we grasp this fullness, the intensity, and that unconditional love we will be different people. I will be a different person. You will be different person. Just resonate on that for moment. The enormity, the intense depth of what that really means about who I am. It’s almost unfathomable.

We base what we think about ourselves on our actions, thoughts, behaviors, successes and failures, fears, and inadequacies. He does not. He sees us as a good father would his child, but more purely – without human notions and conceptions.

I heard a story of a father and son recently. The father was proud of the new car he had just bought for his son and was excited to give it to him. He had looked over cars and compared models and colors and options. He wanted to get his son just the perfect car for him. His son deserved it. His wanted only the very best for his son. His son was not graduating high school. His son was not graduating college. His son was not even starting a new job, getting married, or starting on any of the numerous great endeavors we expect of young adults. His son was about to get out of prison. His son had been in prison for seven and a half years for armed robbery. The father said, “I’m going to set my son up right, he’s learned his lesson…we’re going to move forward and make a new future.” This father did not look at the terrible choice, or perhaps even lifestyle, that had cost his son his freedom.

The father didn’t see an armed robber, he saw his son -his child that he loved unconditionally and in whom he believed. This father saw promise in his son and not his past failures. And this father was human.

God sees your potential, not your limits; His hope in you, not past disappointments; His vision for what your life can truly be, not doubts based on previous imperfections; His knowledge that you are a perfectly created individual, not a product of your circumstances.

Imagine if you could see yourself in that light, every moment of every day. What change would 8 Seeing Me as God Sees Me that make in your life? What if you could really, truly grasp the beauty and thoroughly engulfing power of living and thinking about yourself as God thinks about you? A paradigm shift would almost be an understatement. Your entire life, your entire being, would change permanently and irrevocably.

What are those thoughts, attitudes, and core beliefs that hold you back from being the amazing person you were created to be?

Our thoughts come forth by habit. Our attitudes come forth by habit. Habits we have developed based on core beliefs we have deep inside about our Self. Somewhere along the way, we began believing untrue things about our Self. How many of these statements have you said to yourself:

 I’m not good enough to ______

 I’m not smart enough

 I don’t have enough experience

 I’m afraid to ____

 I don’t have enough training, education…

 No one will want to hear what I have to say

 No one will take me seriously

The list goes on and on…you know those things you say to yourself that prove to only hold yourself back. As a small child, these thoughts do not cross our minds, until they have been planted there directly or indirectly. At some point, we start believing them and adopt them as our own. When a small child wants something or wants to do something, what does she do? She just jumps into whatever she wants at the moment – running across the yard, grabbing a cookie, playing with a toy, running to mom. Does that child stop and think, “I don’t think I can run across the yard to mom,” or “Hmmm, I’ve never played with this toy before, I wonder if I’m smart enough.” No, of course not. She just runs, grabs the toy, plays with the toy and goes after what she wants. Its only later in life, after people have told her, not necessarily in a derogatory manner, that she needs to be “better” or “smarter” or “more

9 Seeing Me as God Sees Me educated” that she begins to adapt her thinking with questioning herself.

Of course we need trainings and we need to learn skills. We need to improve our skills and abilities, in all areas in life – that is part of the growth process. But, do we really need to stop ourselves from fulfilling our callings, our missions, our goals, because of doubts and fears in our minds that should not be there in the first place? But we do it, every day, don’t we.

Let’s adapt our thinking based on the One who knows us better than we know ourselves. The One who has the clearest perspective of all. The One who loves us more than we can love ourselves and has greater plans for us than we could ever dream up for ourselves. If the Creator of the entire Universe can believe in me every day, why can’t I?

10 Seeing Me as God Sees Me Daily Beliefs

Our thoughts and beliefs did not become what they are overnight – they took our entire lives to get to this point, they do not change overnight. But, we can change them much quicker when we are focused, determined and actively working to change them. But, as in every other growth process, these are things we must do every day.

In working with clients over the past decade and in my own personal transformational process

(which continues as everyone else’s does), I have learned several key skills that daily continue my growth and transformation and energize my life and focus on my dreams and aspirations. Simple, proven steps than consistently change our actions, our thoughts, our core beliefs. Daily be conscious of and address each of these areas and you will change your beliefs and completely change your life.

1. Self-talk. In order to change thoughts that are self-defeating, we must recognize what

they are. What are the things you say to yourself on a regular basis? Are they encouraging or

discouraging? They are only one or the other, there is no middle ground. So, the things you say

to yourself either build you up and help you move forward or tear you down and keep you stuck.

Recognize your self-talk and then change those thoughts that are not building you up and

helping you improve and grow.

2. Actions. Our actions also either build us up or tear us down. Our actions can become

“in-actions”. For example, I know I should talk to this woman I met about my services. I know I

can help her. However, my self-talk is scaring me and talking me out of sharing my business

with her, I mean, after all, I did just meet her and don’t want to be pushy, right? My in-action is

not talking to her. My action is just jumping in and saying, “Hey, I’m excited about what I do

and I know it can make a difference in your life as well.” Or whatever you need to say to just do

it – action. Guess what? Your action will also change your self-talk. Even if she says “no” you

just proved to yourself that you can do it.

3. Core beliefs. These are the beliefs, deep down in the very deepest part of us that control 11 Seeing Me as God Sees Me what we do. If we don’t believe that we deserve to ______(earn a million dollars this year, have the relationship that we dream of, build the business that excites us, etc.) no matter how much we want it, we will continue to self-sabotage and defeat ourselves. These core beliefs are those things we chose, somewhere, along the way to believe about ourselves, and are many times, inaccurate. If you are reading this, you know somewhere, deep inside yourself, you need to change at least one belief about yourself. Instead of continuing to believe those things we adopted from other people, why don’t we adopt a belief system from someone much greater and wiser and more loving than ourselves or anyone else from whom we could gather?

4. God’s beliefs. As discussed earlier, God’s beliefs about us aren’t based on past, inaccurate perceptions, failures or any of those other things we base our beliefs upon. Dig in and see all the beautiful things God believes about you and start aligning with His beliefs. Ask

Him on a daily basis to remind you how totally amazing and wonderful you are to Him.

5. Visualizing. Visualizing what our effective goal or end product looks, and the most important part, feels like. We visualize what it’s going to be like to walk into that new house – new dream house –that we just paid cash for from profits from our business; what it looks and feels like to connect and relate to our tribe in our business of changing our world; what it looks and feels like to know I have just ______. What is that one thing you want so badly: a house, a car, a trip, make a certain amount of money, influence and change the lives of a certain group of people, more time with your children? -but that ‘thing’ inside you keeps holding you back. No matter how badly you want it, that part of your beliefs that doesn’t believe you can have it will continue to hold you back.

Until you retrain your mind to believe that not only do you deserve it – you already have it.

Imagine it is that new house. Imagine what it looks like outside. What color is it? What does the yard look like? What does the front door look like? What does the door handle in your hand feel like as you twist it open? What do you feel as you step into the foyer or living room? What do 12 Seeing Me as God Sees Me you smell? What temperature is it? Where does the sunlight hit you from? What is the sound as

you make those first few steps inside? Is it marble flooring? Shiny hardwood? Does the sound

resonate throughout the room? Can you feel the sound? You get the idea. Feel it. That is what

changes that part of your brain and belief system to move past old beliefs and into new beliefs.

If you can feel what it feels like to walk into that house - as if you already have - your beliefs

will begin to change and so will your thoughts, your actions, and what you want most of all –

your results.

Regardless of where your thoughts are stuck today, you can change them. You can create the thoughts and belief system you want for yourself. You can believe your way into a new life achieving all the things you have been wanting for so long.

Changing your thoughts and beliefs and believing about yourself is not just “positive thinking”, it is actively designing and embracing what you want your beliefs to be, and aligning your beliefs about yourself with God, the Creator of all things, who thinks you totally freaking rock is the soundest and surest way to change your self-defeating behaviors. Dig in. Rise up. The entire world and universe are applauding you as you step out of your comfort zone.

13 Seeing Me as God Sees Me 3 Daily Steps to Change Your View

In the morning, schedule into your day:

Focus Time/Reflection Time

 How did I talk to myself today? What is one way I can change a negative statement into a positive statement?  When I look in the mirror and say, “I am so perfect,” what is that one thing in your gut that says, “whoa, unh-unh”? What do I need to let go of, forgive myself for, or walk away from that keeps triggers that “whoa, unh-unh” voice? What is the one thing I can do today to help myself move forward about this “thing”?

Visualization Time

 What is one way I can use action to further my growth and beliefs today?  What is one thing for me to visualize today? When is my time to do this?

Meditation/Quiet/Prayer Time

 Ask God to show me one thing He believes about me today that I need to adjust my perspective to meet His.  Ask God to allow you to recognize this on a deeply personal level, at least one time today and then pay attention to how that feels.

14 Seeing Me as God Sees Me About the Author

Jennifer Horton is a coach, speaker, and author of I Am His Beloved series, including I Am His

Beloved 30 Day Interactive Devotional.

Jennifer has her B.A. in Christian Education, her M.S. in psychology and counseling, and is a

Certified John Maxwell Speaker, Coach & Trainer. Jennifer has worked with individuals and

groups for over 15 years.

Jennifer resides in the Florida panhandle and has four adult human children, 2 & ½

granddaughters and a various assortment of dogs, cats, and birds – the number changing as

frequently as the children bring them home. Jennifer greatest passions, besides helping women, are

painting, writing, and photography.

Jennifer may be contacted at: [email protected].

iYou are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you. Song of Solomon 4:7 iiFor you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. Psalm 139:14 iii You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

15 Seeing Me as God Sees Me

If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, Psalm 139: 1-12 ivThe LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 vYou are precious and honoured in my sight, and …I love you. Isaiah 43;4 viThe Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. Jeremiah 31:3 viiWhen I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. Psalm 8:3-5 viiiYou shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. Isaiah 62: 3 ixThe eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemies before you, saying, ‘Destroy them!’ Deuteronomy 33:27 xHow precious is Your steadfast love, O God! The children of men take refuge and put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. Psalm 36:7 xi God is not a man, that he should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will he not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? Numbers 23:19 xiiIn the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time. Titus 1:2 xiiiYou are righteous, LORD, and your laws are right. Psalm 119:137 xivLet them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. Psalm 107:8 xvHe has caused his wonders to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and compassionate. Psalm 111:4

xvi Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. Deuteronomy 7:9; I will sing of the LORD’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you have established your

16 Seeing Me as God Sees Me faithfulness in heaven itself. Psalm 89:1-2 xviiWhoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. I John 4:8; For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16; But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 xviiiWould not God have discovered it, since he knows the secrets of the heart? Psalm 44:21 xixBefore a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely. Psalm 139:4 xxYou know when I sit and when I rise. Psalm 139:2 xxiFor he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help. Psalm 22:24 xxiiDo not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Matthew 6:8 xxiiiFor the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. II Chronicle 16:9a xxivfor he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. Psalm 103:14 xxvFor I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11