Living Loved: See Yourself Through God’s Eyesنموونە

Have you ever felt like God only tolerates you? That He cares for you because it’s who He is, but doesn’t necessarily enjoy who you are?

For years, I believed that God cared for me, but I doubted that He delighted in me.

I assumed He put up with my flaws out of duty rather than joy. His love felt distant, impersonal, and based on what I could offer, not who I was. I thought His attention was drawn to my successes, but His affection didn’t extend to my imperfections.

Scripture paints a different picture of God’s heart.

“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)

Can you imagine that? God rejoicing over you—not reluctantly, but with loud, joyful singing. This isn’t generic love or obligatory care. It’s deeply personal. You’re not just one of many; you’re His beloved child, and He takes great joy in you.

Think about someone you truly enjoy spending time with—a close friend or family member. You don’t just tolerate their presence; you look forward to being with them. You laugh, feel at ease, and delight in their unique quirks and features.

That’s how God feels about you. He invites you into a relationship where you’re not only known and seen but also celebrated and enjoyed. And He invites you to see, know, and enjoy Him too.

For a long time, I couldn’t fathom that I could bring joy to God. I fixated on my flaws and failures, assuming they outweighed anything good in me. But when I asked God what He enjoyed about me, His response was surprising and tender. He reminded me of how He designed me, the unique ways I reflect His image, and how He delights in the moments we connect.

If it feels hard to believe that God delights in you, start by asking Him, “God, what do You enjoy about me?”

It might feel awkward at first, but God loves to reveal His heart to His children. His delight in you isn’t tied to your performance—it’s rooted in who you are.

One listener of my Good God Talks podcast shared this revelation: “I realized I had an underlying belief that God just puts up with me. Then it hit me—He’s under no obligation to tolerate me. The truth is, He delights in me. That simple shift changed everything, and my relationship with Him has become more intimate and joyful. We’re at a whole new level.”

Are you ready for your connection with God to go to a whole new level?

Let this truth sink in today: God enjoys you. He celebrates you, not despite your imperfections, but because He loves you fully. He is with you, not out of obligation, but out of delight.

Tomorrow, we’ll explore what it truly means to live as God’s cherished child.