From Self-Loathing to AcceptanceSample

The blind man was paralyzed, nameless, and voiceless. It's not just his sight that he had lost, he had also lost hope. Sometimes, the pain we experience can make it hard for us to move forward. The story we tell ourselves about our failures can weigh us down more heavily than the failure itself. When we are left with no vision, voice, or movement, we may start to reject ourselves and anxiously seek validation from others.

Self-denial is almost the opposite of self-loathing. When a fallen world tells you that the only way to get ahead is to seek the approval of men, the denial of oneself to follow God's way lifts us and makes us choose the road less traveled to express the being we were meant to be. There, we win even in our defeats by being stubborn in getting up. But self-loathing is rejecting our intrinsic worth, our true selves. We resign ourselves to being what others say we are and cease to be a possibility for others. Worse, we think that "denying ourselves" is a synonym of silencing our vocation, calling, and vision bestowed by God Himself. It's as if life is a useless gift.

Jesus took the blind man by the hand to lead him out of where he was known for his limitations. He is more interested than we are in returning to full life and will accompany us on the path of restoration. We're not going to listen to who we are if we're not willing to walk with Him. The more we walk with Him, the more we destroy patterns that lead us away from paralysis or the inability to see ourselves with God's eyes. We can't choose how others look at us, but we can choose how and to whom we listen.

Listening to Jesus was the first step towards healing a wounded and hopeless heart. Initially, we may struggle to see ourselves as God sees us, but we will eventually realize that His company is the most valuable thing, even when we are alone. Begin by walking with Him and cherishing those sacred moments. What did you discuss with Him? What happened while you were in His presence? As you depart from a village that may have overwhelmed you with feelings of shame and guilt, His words will guide your heart along a path where you will no longer see yourself as a problem to be solved, but as a wonder to be discovered.

Let us pray: God, forgive me because sometimes I give up. I can't use my past wounds as an excuse to not start anew with you. Just help me take the first step; take me by the hand. I want to listen to You and for You to listen to me. Each day, as Your presence heals me, I will take another step to see myself through Your eyes.