Self Acceptance of Unchangeable Features/Traits

Scripture:  Psalms 139:13-17 - For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. and in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. 17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!

I Samuel 16:7 -  But the Lord said to Samuel, Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Philippians 2:13 -  For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

II Corinthians12:9-10 -  And He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

God has personally made us according to His love, wisdom and sovereignty.  He will finish His good work of conforming us to the character of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6) We have to accept by faith the way that the Lord has created us especially concerning our unchangeable features.  He will work all things together for  good.  (Romans 8:28-30 - And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.)
 
Some of the unchangeable features/traits we have to accept are:
•          Physical features – hair, face, size, health, complexion, and handicaps;
•          Mental capacity – mental limitations, talents and skills;
•          Aging and our death – thinning hair, poor hearing, wrinkles, poor health as we get older, and the Way we die;
•          Birth order – responsibilities we have because of our birth order;
•          Parents – their economic level, their health problems, their successes and failures, and their spiritual condition;
•          Brothers and sisters – characteristics and attitude of each of our brothers and sisters
                 (Institute For Basic Youth Conflict)

I struggled with so many different things when I was growing up.  After inviting Jesus Christ into my life, and reading the Bible on a daily basis,  I began to realize that my attitude about myself influenced my attitude toward God, my family, friends, and various situations.  Self acceptance for me is causing me to have freedom from comparison with others.  It is important to accept God’s sovereign purpose in the way He has fashioned us.

If you ever struggle with not accepting your traits/features or family members, confess it to the Lord (I John 1:9).  Then thank the Lord for the way He has created/designed you!  Ask the Lord to strengthen you and/or help you accept/deal with His sovereign will for you.  His grace is sufficient for you!  (II Corinthians 12:9-10 - And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.)  God is able!!  (Ephesians 3:20 - Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.)

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father:  Forgive me for not accepting how You have designed me.  Thank you for the unchangeable features/traits/family members, and situations in my life. They are marks of character for me.  You are sovereign, and I have been humbled by You.  I have joy because of You.  All this I pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

(by Marsha Williams)