I have been the swan and I have been the ugly duckling. It all depends on the lens that you are looking through. When I was in my late teens, I battled an eating disorder…. Oh, I knew what God said about me—that my body was a temple and I was to honor Him with it. But I saw total imperfection. I went to counseling and ultimately God and I won the victory (but notice I put Him in the equation!) I remember looking in the mirror and seeing one thing; then closing my eyes and praying to see myself the way God did. I cried out to the Holy Spirit and asked Him to be my eyes. You know what? When I would open them again, I saw God’s creation—a beautiful young woman on fire for His Kingdom. Isn’t that what it is all about?
We know how we see ourselves. We have given ourselves many, many names. Some not so nice, right? So I thought I would find proof of what God thinks of us, or how He defines us in His Word. At the end of the chapter, there are many verses to look up and I would like to read them together, okay? Then you decide, swan or (ugly) duckling.
But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like cedars of Lebanon.
For they are transplanted to the Lord’s own house.
They will flourish in the courts of our God.
Even in old age they will still produce fruit, they will remain vital and green.
They will declare, “The Lord is just! He is my Rock! There is no evil in Him!”
Psalms 92:12-15
Palm trees are known for their long life; so to flourish like a palm tree is to stand tall and to live a long time. The cedars of Lebanon are 120 feet in height and 30 feet in circumference! So, if we are strong like these, we are solid, unshakable, strong, and immovable! God sees us as godly ones, His children who are unmoved by winds of circumstance, because we have Him on our side. Our foundation is a God Who never changes and is not shaken by the struggles of this world. These struggles only make us more beautiful in His eyes. You see, we have won the victory through Jesus!!
So all of us who have had the veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord.
And the Lord—Who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like Him
as we are changed into His glorious image.
2 Corinthians 3:18
As believers in Jesus, the veil has been removed and we can be like Him! How then can you see anything other than beautiful? As we read about Him and become close with Him, we see the truth about Jesus and it transforms us. And as we learn more about His life and His sufferings and death on our behalf, our knowledge deepens and the Holy Spirit works in us to change us into Christ-like daughters. And so it is that the more closely we follow, the more like Him we will be! Now what do you see in that mirror?
Dear brothers and sisters, we can’t help but thank God for you,
because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing.
2 Thessalonians 1:3
Paul always started his letters out by saying what he appreciated about his readers and the joy he felt because of their faith in God and their love for each other. He is thanking God for these people! As a community of Jesus followers, aren’t we better together? Shouldn’t we be uplifting to each other? I challenge you to find ways to encourage the women around you. We can get so caught up in the comparison game and falling short of our neighbor. But God created you to be you and to be the most amazing you that you can be. In His image we are created and we are made to love each other like He loves us. How much better the world would be if everyone felt this love? We wouldn’t have many insecure women if we followed Paul’s example.
And last is…
Rather you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
All glory to Him, both now and forever! Amen.
2 Peter 3:18
This is Peter urging his readers to grow in the grace and the knowledge of Jesus, to get to know Him more and more by walking close to Him. No matter where you are in your journey with Jesus—whether you are mature in your faith or just a beginner—the world is sinful and it is always a challenge to our faith. There is always room to grow! Never be content with where you are. Always seek and pray and read His Word. You will grow in the grace and knowledge of Him! The closer you are to Him, the more strength you have to handle these hard and trying circumstances we will go through. This is beautiful, my friends!
Now, answer the question that is asked in this chapter:
“How confident are you
that you truly can change, grow,
and become more than you now are?”
Let us pray: Dear Jesus, we praise You for Who You are! You are never changing, always the same and, in this uncertain world, we cling to You! You love us and You created us to be Your followers. In Your image we are made and You are perfect. Forgive us for the critical things we say about ourselves and for the constant comparisons we make to each other and to ourselves. You never meant for us to be anything other than beautiful, full of grace, always forgiving, loving, God-fearing followers of You. Help us to stay in Your Word and to always remember who You say we are. We are a swan in Your eyes; help us to see and believe. You are so patient with us always. We love You and thank You for always loving us and accepting us. For it is in Your name we pray, amen.
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About Kim Spring
Thank you Kim for sharing a part of your life with us. I battled drug addiction. Twenty six years ago I found the rooms of recovery not knowing that I would find God and the Lord Jesus. I never knew that it was possible to have a real, intimate relationship with my Heavenly Father and my Lord. And then to find out that the Creator of the heavens and earth loved me. At that point in my life I couldn’t conceive/believe that anyone would love me never mind the Almighty. But that was a turning point in my life. I struggle with depression and I still struggle with who I am in Christ. I am so thankful for GCH and what they offer the women of God. I am thankful for all the women involved in this study. I pray our lives will be never be the same again.
Me too!! I’m 7 years sober from it!! The pain killer addiction that is! Thank you for your honesty and your story of hope. Love u sister!
Everything I do and everyplace I go–to bring glory to His Name. That is definitely my desire. And with God’s help, I can become more than I am now. Kim, thank you for sharing your story with us. And Darcie, thank you too! It always thrills me when I “hear” how the power of God’s Word and His Love have changed ugly ducklings into swans. I believe all of us who are Christ followers have seen that to some degree in our own lives, but the Good News never becomes old news. I definitely want to share it with those around me, it’s too good to keep to myself!
thank you Clella! I agree with you, anytime we can bring glory to His name, showing victory through Him, I say shout it from the mountain!!! Thanks for commenting and always being so encouraging!
Great blog, Kim, and encouraging testimony! So thankful for you and all God is doing through you to inspire those around you to walk more closely with Him.
Thank you! walking closely with Him, the ultimate goal!
so…i am answering mrs. myers’ question (thanks for asking it again!): i am very confident…’cause it is in His strength that i can make those changes! by myself…well, if i could have SURELY i would already have done so! <3
Thanks Kim for the encouragement & Scripture to help us see more like Christ <3
So timely is this conversation – yes, I needed to hear these strong and uplifting messages right this second! Thank you sharing and reminding us/me we are to be – “You never meant for us to be anything other than beautiful, full of grace, always forgiving, loving, God-fearing followers of You.” Thank you my heart is full <3
Thank you Cheri, isn’t it amazing how we hear what He wants us to hear? each message personal. He wants us to know, receive that he loves us and thinks us to be perfect.
We are all flawed & imperfect but it is through our weaknesses we find Him and the strength to change our lives and to see ourselves the way He sees us, beautiful, a swan! This had been the hardest thing for me to grasp since becoming a Christian but over these past 3 years it has been easier & easier to see myself the way He does. I can only do it when I am putting Him first though, when the world starts to crowd in the old doubts come back….God showed me an acronymn yesterday, SLOW Stop, Listen, Obey, With joy. When I do this, the old doubts are wiped away and in it’s place is the blessing of peace and joy. Thank you Kim for sharing your story & your heart.
Thank you Paula!!! He does see you beautiful. Just receive it!! So proud of you!!!
After being born again for 30 years, it seems I am just now learning to see myself as loved and accepted without having to earn it. The lies of the enemy have so dominated my thinking and how I saw myself that I couldn’t (or wouldn’t) accept this. Thank God, He is getting it through to me now.
Praising the Lord with you for this victory! Accepting that you are loved and believing it!! He is rejoicing over you tonight my friend!
Thank you Kim for sharing your heart. I have battled depression, low self esteem since I was 12 and I am 32. I am better than I was it is taking time.
baby steps, Michelle! The battle is won for you, give it over daily and thank Him for taking it from you! praying for you that the clouds will lift and you will see and feel sunshine and joy!
Thank you Kim for your post… It is wonderful and encouraging! This chapter I feel touches most women, I was tall skinny girl in a catholic school and was made fun of and somehow in high school that changed and I blossomed. I remember wishing to be beautiful like other girls and even to this day have compared myself at 38 years old, to others thinking I could do better at this or that or I need to be something or someone I am not. This lesson tolook bacon the things that have led to my feelings of insecurity such as my ex husband cheating many years ago, it is embedded deep in my soul. Why was I not enough? I have an amazing husband now and am truly blessed and I realize I must acknowledge the damage done and my own realistic limitations and heal from those. I encourage us all to build women up, to challenge ourselves to reach out tomorrow to show ove by encouraging another woman who surely has insecurities as we do… Serve and love purely!
You are beautiful… made in His image! thanks for sharing!