Do you ever feel pulled in two directions? On one hand, we know from Scripture we’re to accept who we are in Christ. We’re told not to compare ourselves to others or envy who they are or what they have. We know we were uniquely designed by God, created on purpose, and that we should appreciate his handiwork in us.
But on the other hand—if you’re like me—you also know there are things about yourself you shouldn’t just accept. There are flaws. Weaknesses. Immaturities. We see others who seem to have it more together, and we feel the gap between who we are and who we ought to be.
Here’s the dilemma: How do we accept who we are when we know we’re not yet all we should be? How can we believe we’re special just as we are, while knowing we still have so far to grow?
It almost seems like mission impossible. It appears to be a paradox with no solution. On the one hand we’re admonished to rejoice and celebrate who we are and on the other hand, we’re aware daily of our inadequacies and shortcomings.
But here’s what I’m learning: I must be content with who God made me to be—while remaining lovingly dissatisfied with where I am in my growth. Contentment with my design. Holy discontentment with my development. Or to say it another way: accept who I am, but don’t settle for where I am.
That understanding has brought me tremendous freedom. I can appreciate who I am in Christ and still pursue becoming more like him. Let’s look at a couple of areas where this tension shows up.
Scripture tells us we are fearfully and wonderfully made. God formed us in our mother’s womb. He doesn’t make mistakes. And yet—when we look in the mirror, do we see his craftsmanship or only the flaws?
“Oh, if only my hair were different.”
“If only my face were shaped another way.”
“If only my body were thinner, taller, smaller, firmer.”
Now, tell the truth: Don’t we often just focus on the negatives? Our culture has convinced us there’s only one acceptable shape for a beautiful body. And we’ve paid dearly for believing that lie. So many women have harmed themselves chasing an image that was never meant to define beauty.
I mean—look at the evidence: God clearly loves variety. Just look around at all the different looks, types, and shapes! How dull this world would be if we all came in the same size, shape, or color.
My dear friend, Fran, was barely five feet tall. All her life she was the shortest one in the room. But that small stature became a beautiful tool in God’s hands. She was never intimidating. People instantly felt at ease with her. She could make you laugh in seconds. She never met a stranger, and as a result, she was able to authentically and easily talk with people about her faith. Many women came to saving faith because they became friends with Fran. God used her size and personality together in powerful ways. Her height was not a mistake.
Your body is not a mistake either. Accept it. Thank God for it. See it as his design. But don’t settle.
Care for it. Strengthen it. Discipline it. Keep it healthy so it can serve Jesus well. We don’t chase perfection, but we do pursue stewardship. Our physical well-being affects our effectiveness. We want to run our race well and finish strong.
Very recently I was struck by this passage from Psalm 92:
The righteous flourish like the palm tree… They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the LORD is upright (Psalm 92:12-14).
As the years pile up, your body goes through changes. But I love the truth that we can still bear fruit even as we age and be full of sap and green. I don’t want to run out of gas. I don’t want to be prohibited from ministry because my body fails me.
Now, there are some physical problems over which you and I have no control. But our behavior and discipline l
