For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Psalms 139:13-14 (KJV).

It is so easy to lose confidence in ourselves, especially, when the encouragement we are looking for from those around us is not coming as expected or we are constantly inundated with so much negativity about the way we look, dress, or act. Human beings can be hard and brutal on each other, and we forget that our actions or attitudes can make or break the other person.

Even more importantly, we forget that we are not God and thus do not have the right(s) to label or make any form of imprint on anyone’s personality that may have terrible or adverse effects on the person’s life.

Indeed lots of people have suffered and many more still suffering from the effects such forms of personality defamation, and psychological and emotional torture has caused.  Many have had to be victims of shattered self-esteem, broken dreams, personality disorders, loss of purpose, and worst still loss of life.

Sadly though, on a closer examination of the situation, we find a double-edged effect, meaning that both parties involved in this cycle, the perpetrators and the ones whom the act is inflicted upon are all broken people and of course, we must know that all of humanity is broken as a result of the fall, and are prone to hurting each other sometimes. Hence, the popular saying ‘you can only give what you have got.’ For some of us, this is a recurrent and vicious cycle, for others, it may be subtle and unintentional. However, in both ways, it is a terrible concern that must be dealt with and consciously addressed.

So, the question is: What can we do to change the situation? The following are answers to the question:

First, we must work towards gaining a deep understanding of who God is, as well as having total dependence and confidence on Him as the Perfect Creator, who by His Sovereignty created us in His image. Thus, we are all wonderfully and fearfully made by a perfect creator for an intended purpose and destiny.

Secondly, we should submit ourselves to the will and purpose of God. We must allow God to work in us to change our perspectives and perceptions on how we see ourselves and others around us. Thus, we must begin to see ourselves and others through the eyes of Grace, from the viewpoint of God our Heavenly Father – the perfect creator.

Thirdly, we should wholeheartedly make it our sole responsibility and intention to receive this Grace God has given us, which is in Christ Jesus. In doing so, we will be able to effectively give or extend the same Grace to others, bearing in mind, that a person can only give what they have.

Finally, we should endeavor to position ourselves as an extension of God’s hands to be the encouragement others would need to enable them or each one of us to step into the purpose and destiny God has for every one of us.

When we bring ourselves to fully understand that we have a God who is perfect in all His ways, and therefore, a perfect Creator, whose Gracious intentions towards us are good continually and not evil, we would then begin to intentionally set ourselves and those around us up for success and not failure.

Ebimobo W. Obasi

PLEASE PRAY ALONG :

A Prayer of Thanks for God’s International Purposes for Our Lives.

FATHER GOD, thank You for creating me for a purpose and plan that is bigger than myself. You made me and You know what’s in my heart. Please help me to have a heart that reflects You. When I doubt my worth, remind me of Your promise that I have been fearfully and wonderfully made! Please give me the ability to extend this Grace to others as well. In JESUS MIGHTY NAME AMEN.