This Is Me
Dear Friends,
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| This Is Me |
A few weeks ago Jason took me to the cinema to see "The Greatest Showman". We don't often get to the cinema, but I was so glad we got to see this film which in my opinion is so good. The film is inspired by the story of PT Barnum and how he rose to fame, as he built his circus which featured various star attractions. Many of the performers had known rejection and prejudice in the past because they were 'different' to those around them.
One member of the group is the bearded lady (played by Keala Settle) who learns through Barnum what it means to be loved and accepted for who she is. She sings my favourite song from the film, "This Is Me". The lyrics are powerful and so moving. In the past, she had hidden away because of the hurtful words spoken by others which had left her feeling cut and bruised. But now that she has become part of the circus family, and learned what it means to be loved and accepted, she is able to love and accept herself for who she is. She refuses to allow the words from her past to continue to make her feel ashamed and she no longer feels the need to hide away. Instead of fear ruling her life, she is able to step out with courage, knowing she has worth.
Before we go further, if you click on the link you can watch the video clip (song lyrics included) of Keala Settle singing "This is Me". Please click here: "This is Me"
Before we go further, if you click on the link you can watch the video clip (song lyrics included) of Keala Settle singing "This is Me". Please click here: "This is Me"
I think it's a story we can all relate to in one degree or another.
How many times have I said as I was growing up: "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me"?
How many times have I said as I was growing up: "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me"?
Yet, the truth is that words spoken to us or over us can hurt. They can cause us much pain and leave deep, invisible scars. Words can pull us down and we can even start to believe the things others have said about us.
Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an axe, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow. Proverbs 25:14 (NLT)
Whereas Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweet and delightful to the soul and healing to the body. Proverbs 16:24 (AMP)
I still remember the insensitive things that teachers said to me whilst I was at secondary school. Although the pain has eased over time as I've grown closer to my loving heavenly
Father God who has taught me what it means to be unconditionally loved and accepted for who I am.
The bearded lady only learned to love and accept herself when she experienced love and acceptance from her circus 'family'. For each of us too, we are only really able to love and accept ourselves when we experience the incredible love God has for us, that he accepts us, completely, just as we are and he sees our worth.
“I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself. Jeremiah 31:3 (NLT)
God has the power to heal the wounds and scars that we have received from others. He can take away the pain of words that have been said to us.
Perhaps in the past, you've hidden who you really are from the rest of the world because you've been afraid of rejection, afraid people wouldn't like you if you showed your true self. But God was very deliberate when he created you. He has made you to be one of a kind. You are special to him. You have worth because you are his masterpiece and you deserve to shine. The world needs you and God knows that. He wants you to know it too.
We can move out with confidence. It's a confidence that isn't based on ourselves, on what we can do or on the way we look, but rather on Christ and who we are in him.
There may still be times when we will be hurt by others, but we don't need to allow the pain to take root and fester. We can hand it over to God and know his comforting, healing touch. Whilst words may initially hurt us we can stop them from having power over us by reminding ourselves of the words that God speaks to us.
So, let's not hide away anymore, let's step out and be the person God has created us to be and do the things he has created us to do. This is possible when what God thinks about us matters more to us than what others think of us.
Knowing we are loved by God so completely will give us the courage to live as he intends us to live because We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. 18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. 1 John 4:16-18 (NLT)
To Think About:
Are you still holding on to the pain of words which have harmed you in the past? Have you considered going to God who is your healer and ask him to heal you of your pain?
How have the things people have said to you or over you affected the way you live now?
What will it take for you to believe the words that God says to you? How can you take the knowing in your head what God says to truly believing it in your heart? You may want to meditate on the verses above and ask God to reveal through them, his love for you.
How does knowing that God loves, accepts and approves of you change the way you live each day?
Vicki
If what you read was of interest to you, then you may like to know that my book "Dear Friend...52 Weekly Devotions to Encourage, Challenge and Inspire" is available to buy from Amazon, on Kindle or in paperback. (Its content is material adapted from past blog posts.) To learn more, click on the link below:
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