Why you are worth celebrating {An Untangled Summer study}

“What do you like about yourself?”

I asked this question to an online group of women the other day, not sure what to expect. You know, it’s always risky to ask women to share something they find “good” about themselves, because we don’t often focus on those things.

We’ve been conditioned to focus on our shortcomings instead — those places we don’t measure up.

We fret about our perky-less-ness. We obsess over the flabby. We spotlight our failures. We agonize about our lack of style. We trap ourselves in comparison. We’re bothered by our long list of not good enoughs.

But to my delight, women answered.

Lots of them.

Each response seemed to spark courage for the next, and the replies kept coming.

There’s something very powerful and attractive about a woman who knows she has something to offer – one who knows she has beauty… or wit… or kindness… or a talent… or the ability to love others well.

But the truth is, it’s risky to share the things we like about ourselves, because it’s terribly vulnerable.

And we worry…

… What if I’m delusional?

… What if I put it out there and someone disagrees with me?

… What if I sound prideful?

… What if someone laughs?

So we keep those good things tucked away, afraid that our fears will be confirmed. And we’ll take another arrow to the heart, reminding us we’re not worthy of being celebrated.

We stay tangled in our imperfections and feel certain no one will delight in who we are.

But God does. As a matter of fact, He designed you with all those good things on purpose.

You took time to create!

He chose your hair color, skin color and bone structure. He decided what gifts and talents He’d fill you with. God decided your personality and characteristics.

He chose your laugh… and your sense of humor… and the tenderness of your heart.

He created your brain, knowing the amazing (and not so amazing) thoughts that would fill it.

He created your mouth, knowing the convictions, encouragement and declarations that would come from it.

And He created your hands and feet, knowing all the places you would use them to make this world a better place.

He gave you those quirks… those emotions… those challenges… and those circumstances knowing that you’d need His strength to thrive in them.

God meant for all of these qualities to be uniquely yours, worthy to be shared and admired.

We’re finishing up the week on the Tangle of Worthlessness over at the Women Who Believe blog. Julie has some powerful insights today you don’t want to miss, including a way to break some agreements we’ve made that are keeping us knotted up in insecurity.

Click HERE to head over.

Sister… ask God to help you believe that you matter. Because there is no one else just like you. You are who you are… by design.

And you are worth celebrating!

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