Dear Parents,
Most of us struggle with our self-image at some point. As we make daily choices to accept the negative thoughts we have about ourselves, words such as unworthy, worthless, stupid, unforgivable, and alone begin to swirl through our minds and slowly penetrate our hearts. The mirror becomes our greatest rival, reflecting the person we have grown to despise.
Over time, the thoughts we entertain shape who we are and what we do. A negative self-image will take time to change; but by turning over to Christ every hateful, harmful thought and replacing it with healthy, loving thoughts, we honor God, in whose image we are made. "God created humanity in God's own image, in the divine image God created them." Genesis 1:27a (CEB)
Replace the hate...
Instead of thinking... I hate myself, I hate how stressed I get, I hate how emotional I am, I hate how my body looks, I hate making difficult decisions, I hate hating myself.
Remember that... God loves me. I love how specific and careful I am, I love how much I care for others, I love that I am healthy, I love that I try to make the right decisions, I love learning to love myself.
Ask your child...
How can you celebrate the story of your life as it is right now? How do you feel about yourself? Be honest. What would loving yourself look like?
Have you done something you regret, something for which you can't forgive yourself?
Challenge your child...
Spend time thinking about the good things about yourself, not the things you want to change. Make a list of them, post them on your mirror, and read them aloud to yourself every day. Treat yourself with respect and love.
Ask God for forgiveness; listen to the words God speaks to you. Allow them to replace your guilt and self-hatred with forgiveness and love. Hebrews 8:12 reminds us "I will forgive their sins and will no longer remember their wrongs."
Prayer...
Father, help us to seek to be like God who created me and calls us to live in love. Replace our shame and remind us to love ourselves the way God loves us. Amen.
Most of us struggle with our self-image at some point. As we make daily choices to accept the negative thoughts we have about ourselves, words such as unworthy, worthless, stupid, unforgivable, and alone begin to swirl through our minds and slowly penetrate our hearts. The mirror becomes our greatest rival, reflecting the person we have grown to despise.
Over time, the thoughts we entertain shape who we are and what we do. A negative self-image will take time to change; but by turning over to Christ every hateful, harmful thought and replacing it with healthy, loving thoughts, we honor God, in whose image we are made. "God created humanity in God's own image, in the divine image God created them." Genesis 1:27a (CEB)
Replace the hate...
Instead of thinking... I hate myself, I hate how stressed I get, I hate how emotional I am, I hate how my body looks, I hate making difficult decisions, I hate hating myself.
Remember that... God loves me. I love how specific and careful I am, I love how much I care for others, I love that I am healthy, I love that I try to make the right decisions, I love learning to love myself.
Ask your child...
How can you celebrate the story of your life as it is right now? How do you feel about yourself? Be honest. What would loving yourself look like?
Have you done something you regret, something for which you can't forgive yourself?
Challenge your child...
Spend time thinking about the good things about yourself, not the things you want to change. Make a list of them, post them on your mirror, and read them aloud to yourself every day. Treat yourself with respect and love.
Ask God for forgiveness; listen to the words God speaks to you. Allow them to replace your guilt and self-hatred with forgiveness and love. Hebrews 8:12 reminds us "I will forgive their sins and will no longer remember their wrongs."
Prayer...
Father, help us to seek to be like God who created me and calls us to live in love. Replace our shame and remind us to love ourselves the way God loves us. Amen.
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