What is your daily routine when you get up in the morning as you get ready for your day.  I imagine it consists of getting out of bed, washing our face brushing our teeth, getting in the shower picking out the clothes for the day having a cup or two of coffee and catching up on the daily news or our social media apps.  Whatever you do we all eventually do the same thing.  We walk by the mirror and catch a glimpse of ourselves.  There we are staring back at ourselves.  Now, what do you see?  Some of us, I imagine, like what we see.  Maybe we like the way our outfit looks on us.  Maybe we are having a good hair day.  Some people spend too much time in the mirror, maybe they like how they look a bit too much However for the rest of us we have a different reaction to seeing our reflection in the mirror.  To us the mirror is our enemy.  The mirror magnifies our insecurities, confirms with the thoughts in our head that we don't look great.  That we are overweight, our hair just won't sit right.  We feel embarrassed and ashamed by what is looking back at us.  Is the mirror correct?  Are we defined by what we see in the mirror?  Or is it telling us lies that we already believe about ourselves, lies that society has placed on us and given us a false image of what is desirable.

 

     Now there are things we can do to improve our self image and feel better about ourselves such as practice good hygiene, eating right and exercising, yes I'm preaching to my self here, but I am not here to discuss how we feel about our outward appearance, I want to talk about what we see in the spiritual mirror.  What is looking back at us?  Do we like what we see?  What thoughts run through our head when we see a reflection of who were in the spiritual realm?  Now just like the mirror that reflects back to us can lie or give us false images about ourselves so can this spiritual mirror if we believe the lies the enemy says about ourselves and are not familiar with the Word of God and His promises for us.  

     If I asked you what you think God thinks about you what would you say?  That I'm "unlovable".  That I'm "unworthy". That I'm a "lost cause". That He is done with me.  That God has given up on me, can no longer use me, that I'm unredeemable.  Do you feel like Adam and Eve did in the garden after they ignored God's one rule?  Do you want to hide from the presence of God?  Do you feel shame?  Condemnation? Weary? Anxious? Depressed?  If that's you, you are not alone.  Many Christians at this very moment feel that exact same way, many Christians are believing the lies of the enemy.  You see the mirror is just an object.  It doesn't say anything about you, it only confirms what you already believe about yourself.  If you think you're undesirable, that is what you will see.  If you think you are unworthy then you will see that.  So what do we do to change the way we see ourselves so that when we look in to the mirror we don't see the lies of the enemy but the truths spoken to us from our Hevaenly Father?  We need to get into His Word.  I understand that is so easy to say, but lets be honest, it's hard at times to get into the Bible.  There are many things that are competing for our attention,    Sometimes we just feel tired, it doesn't take much to find an excuse to ignore reading God's Word.  Look, I'm there with you guys, I am a pastor and I struggle with reading God's Word regularly.  It takes discipline, it takes a commitment but I promise you if you do this you will see a change in how God sees you, how you see yourself and you will begin to love yourself and there will be no room for self loathing but only confidence in God's word.  We no longer have to believe the lies of the enemy, we no longer have to be afraid of the mirror.  It's time to commit to memory what God thinks about you.  I want to leave you with some scripture to help you if you are currently struggling with how God views you.  I love you, God loves you and you have value, meaning and purpose.

 

Promises of the Lord

The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Psalms 9:9

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.     Psalms 23:4

Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.    Psalms 55:22

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  Psalms 91:1

He renews my strength. He guides me along the right paths, bringing honor to his name.   Psalms 23:3

Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses so that the power of Christ can work through me  2 Corinth 12:9

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.  1John 3:1

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.    Romans 8:38-39

No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends... John 15:15

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.  Zep.     3:17

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.   1 John 1:9