How God sees us.
- KL
- Jul 22, 2025
- 9 min read
Genesis 1:31 Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good.
I don't drink coffee, but my favorite drink is hot cocoa (as an extra treat, I sometimes apply whipped cream in a perfect mound). I also enjoy an occasional green jasmine tea or white rose tea, so I've purchased four mugs for when I want one of these beverages. While reflecting on the mugs, it has occurred to me that I should donate three of the four that hang out in my cupboard, because I'm a one-mug kind of gal. Why? Firstly, my favorite mug perfectly reminds me of how God sees me, and secondly, my hand fits in the handle so well that I am pretty sure it was made just for me. Most people lean toward one or two mugs that they own. Why do you like yours?
Today, as I sipped my hot cocoa (yes, I drink it throughout the year, regardless of the temperature), I reread the message on my mug, and I thought it would be fun to share what it advertises to the world. As you read the list, I encourage you to place your name in front of the word 'you' and then say each of these sentences out loud, and really take your time and hear these words in your heart.
(your name) You are lovely. 1 Peter 3:3-4
You are special. Eph 2:10
You were created for a purpose. Jer 29:11
You are cared for. Eph 3: 17-19
You are mine. ISA 43:1
You are precious. 1 Cor 6:20
You are strong. Psalm 68:35
You are important. 1 John 3:1
You are forgiven. Psalm 103:12
You are a new creation. 2 Cor 5:17
You are protected. Psalm 121:3
You are empowered. Luke 10:19
You are chosen. 1 Peter 2:9
You are family. EPH 2:19
You are loved. ISA 43:4
You are beautiful. Psalm 139:14
How did you feel reading those words out loud? If I read those words with my heart, it's typical for me to tear up or cry. It's humbling and profoundly comforting to hear the truth about how God views me, since I'm told lies about myself daily (both by my inner voice and the world). In fact, if you heard what rattles around in my brain regarding myself, you would be shocked.
I don't think that those of us with a sexual abuse background are more or less inclined to believe lies about ourselves, because I think misinterpreting our value is a human condition. However, I do have a hunch that our background often plays a role in the magnitude of our certainty about our self-beliefs. For instance, someone may decide they are of little value to a person they are in a relationship with and then move on from that person, understanding that there will be another opportunity for a relationship in the future. While someone with our background may assume incorrectly that if another person does not see your value, you are of little value to anyone. This type of generalization and false thinking might cause us to give up, accept harmful relationships, or cause us a multitude of mental health issues.
In my opinion, it doesn't matter to me why this mindset occurs, because I believe there are a whole host of reasons we allow this to happen. It might be because you don't think you are of value, so you look for people to be in a relationship with who don't value you. It's possible that you don't know yourself because you were never given the opportunity to discover who you truly are. It might be because you do not yet truly understand the concept of love. But, no matter what our experiences are, if you have sexual abuse in your background, more than likely, someone told you lies about who you are, and God wants us to understand who you are to Him so that we live in truth.
I heard many lies while growing up, one of which was pretty devastating, and it was about my pear-shaped body type. My stepfather often said that no man would be interested in me because of it. I am pretty sure that I allowed this lie, alongside many other lies, to contribute to my eating disorder. However, as I grew up, I learned that the pear-shaped body, when fit, was a preferred body type for many men. For years, though, it didn't matter what the truth was; when I looked in the mirror, I wasn't comfortable. Until I began to hear, think, and live the truth, and the truth is that God made me, and I am a masterpiece. So, it shouldn't matter how the world sees me or how I see myself; what matters is how my Creator sees me.
Of course, lies about my body are not the only thing I believe; in fact, I am even embarrassed to share this one, but I drove by a billboard last week, and the law firm on the billboard asked the question: 'How much is your life worth?' I actually caught my inner voice saying, 'You are worth nothing.' I was shocked and said out loud in the car; That is a lie, you are worth so much that Jesus died for you. I moved on with my day, but that type of thinking is obviously deeply hurtful to me. I think daily we all hear and believe multiple lies regarding our body, soul, and spirit. It is what we do with those lies that will make a positive or negative impact on our relationship with God, on how we value ourselves, and on how we operate within our relationships with others.
For years, I tried ignoring the lies, devaluing them, discussing them with others, or relying solely on myself to deal with them, but it was not effective for me. However, working alongside God on this significant issue has provided considerable healing. The way I approach this process is first to acknowledge the lie, then pray about the issue, and finally speak truth to myself about it, sometimes multiple times a day. I also try to remember to put on the armor of God when I go out (the belt of truth). The belt not only reminds us to tell the truth but also to discern what is true about ourselves and others. Memorizing scripture can also help counter lies; however, that is not a strength of mine, so instead, I keep a list of how God feels about me close by and reread it often.
This is challenging work. It is like lifting weights to build muscle; you have to tear down the old muscles to form new ones, and you can't lift weights for just one day and expect to be in peak physical form. Just as you can't say the truth once and expect your soul to believe it, you are rebuilding your concept of yourself alongside God, and it takes dedication to the task. It is worth your time, though, to live in the truth that God sees you as extremely valuable.
In the next article I will take an in-depth look at the concept of Love
Thank you very much for spending a moment with me, know that you are loved by God, your creator.
Review Main Points:
When God created humanity, he saw it as very good.
Scripture is clear that He values us.
To Him we are lovely, special, created for a purpose, cared for, His, precious, strong, important, forgiven, a new creation, protected, empowered, chosen, family, loved, and beautiful.
We have been told and have believed many lies about our body, spirit, and soul by others and by ourselves.
These lies can harm us.
Root out the lies, pray about them, speak the truth to yourself, wear the belt of truth, and memorize scripture (or keep a list of scriptures close to read them).
This is hard work, so you will need to be diligent with this process.
Next steps:
Spend time in prayer about this issue
Take stock of how you felt when reading those words and write in your journal how you felt.
Reread those words daily.
When you hear a lie internally or externally, say one of the truths to yourself immediately (For instance, if you think to yourself I am not as pretty as that girl across the room, say to yourself, That is a lie. God says I am beautiful)
Take stock after a week, do you see improvement? Continue on with this work; lies have tough claws and don't want to lose their power over you.
Scripture found in the article:
You are lovely. 1 Peter 3:3-4
Define lovely: a person's or thing's attractiveness.
Scripture: 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.
4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.
You are special. Eph 2:10
Define special: distinguished by some unusual quality, especially: being in some way superior; that is designed or organized for a particular occasion or purpose.
Scripture: Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
You were created for a purpose. Jer 29:11
Define purpose: The reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists
Scripture: For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
You are cared for. Eph 3: 17-19
Define cared for: to do the things that are needed to help and protect: look after: to feel affection for (someone)
Scripture: 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
You are mine. ISA 43:1
Define mine: ownership the act, state, or right of possessing something
Scripture: But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.
You are precious. 1 Cor 6:20
Scripture: 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body [a]and in your Spirit, which are God's.
You are strong. Psalm 68:35
Define strong: having or marked by great physical power
Scripture: 35 O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places.
The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people.
You are important. 1 John 3:1
Define important: marked by or indicative of significant worth or consequence: valuable in content or relationship.
Scripture: 3 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
You are forgiven. Psalm 103:12
Define forgiven: to cease to feel resentment against (an offender)
Scripture: 12 As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
You are a new creation. 2 Cor 5:17
Define a new creation (recreate): to give new life or freshness to
Scripture: 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
You are protected. Psalm 121:3
Define protected: to cover or shield from exposure, injury, damage, or destruction: guard.
Scripture: 3 He will not allow your foot to [a]be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
You are empowered. Luke 10:19
Define empowered: having the knowledge, confidence, means, or ability to do things or make decisions for oneself.
Scripture: 19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
You are chosen. 1 Peter 2:9
Define chosen: one who is the object of choice or of divine favor: an elect person.
Scripture: 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
You are family. EPH 2:19
Define family: a believer who has been adopted into God's family through faith in Jesus Christ.
Scripture: 19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
You are loved. ISA 43:4
Define love: God's love for humanity is unconditional, sacrificial, and everlasting.
Scripture: 4 Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you; Therefore I will give men for you, And people for your life.
You are beautiful. Psalm 139:14
Define beautiful: having beauty; possessing qualities that give great pleasure or satisfaction to see, hear, think about, etc.; delighting the senses or mind.
Scriptures: 14 I will praise You, for [a]I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.
The Armor of God-Ephesians 6:10-18
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people.
Other References found in the article
Webster https://www.merriam-webster.com/
Bible Study Headquarters www.biblestudyheadquarters.com
Bible Gateway (NKJV) https://www.biblegateway.com
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