One of the hardest things about living in today’s world is learning to be comfortable in your own skin. There is a huge struggle to be ourselves, and we feel like we have to change to fit in and be accepted. We have a deep-seated fear of being rejected; we are afraid of being alone and unloved.
Popular culture and social media show the highlight reels of other’s lives, and we feel like we have to live up to that, and if we don’t, we are worried we won’t fit in. As this happens, we start to compare ourselves, and we feel nervous and uncomfortable in our own skin.
I’ve struggled with this a lot, especially as I got into high school; I would stress about what I look like, what I was wearing, and what I said. That fear is still something I deal with, but when that happens, I try to keep a few things in mind.
You are His Masterpiece
One is that God made me a masterpiece; he made me the way I am, and I don’t have to change to please him. Psalm 139:14 says, “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well”. Whenever I felt down about myself, I would try to remember that the only opinion of myself that I should care about is God’s.
Fully Known & Fully Loved
God created us in his image and he fully knows us in every way. He know’s everything about me and he loves me anyway, that’s an amazing feeling. Ephesians 4:23-24 says this “and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in the true righteousness and holiness.” You are created in the likeness of God in the true righteousness; that’s beautiful and an incredible feeling to be new in him.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you won’t have to change who you are for real friends. Your true friends will accept you for who you are, and they should never make you feel uncomfortable for being yourself. Surround yourself with people who encourage and uplift you!
Do What You Love!
Something else that helps me, is to take time for the things I love; when you do something you love it’s a fantastic feeling and helps you love yourself. When you enjoy things for you and not to please others it’s very freeing and can help you get perspective.
It’s really hard to feel comfortable being yourself, and I definitely struggle with this daily, but I try to remember these things to remind me of my worth. You are never alone in Jesus and he walks with us daily!
Just know that you are perfect just the way you are and don’t need to change to be accepted or loved.
-Gracie
