Thoughts

StartFragmentI wake up and stumble into the bathroom, rub my eyes and let them get adjusted to the light. I stand in front of the mirror, blankly staring but thoughts still cross my mind. Words stream through my head as I stare at my reflection. Imperfect. Ugly. Lacking. Fat. Then I have a little pity party and compare myself to all those girls who are so much better than me. Now, this list of words is so different. Perfect. Freakin' Beautiful. Popular. Skinny. How come they were made flawless and fabulous, but me, well I'm just plain ol' me. I feel so inferior next to these "model" teenagers who have the perfect life- money, beauty, boyfriends, popularity- none of which I have. .... Off to the side somewhere, hidden out of sight, a little red man with horns on his head cackles and rubs his hands together. "Perfect, just perfect. Now, hmmm, talent. You have no talent. At all." An evil grin spreads across his face as he whispers these demeaning words. .... I realize, thinking about these other flawless girls, that they all have gifts and talents- dance, cheerleading, writing, music.... None of which I have. "I hate you!" I whisper to the girl in the mirror. .... The little red man shouts in triumph as he sees the truly beautiful girl's self-confidence drop lower and lower. He watches as she sighs and turns away from the mirror and picks up a book. His menacing grin quickly changes to an angry growl and stops his foot on the ground. "No! No no no! Not that book! Anything but that! No no no!!!" .... I pick up my Bible, but just as I do, I hear my mom calling, saying it's breakfast time. The Bible forgotten, I hurry to the table and gobble down my food and head to school. Throughout the day, little thoughts pop in to remind me of my shortcomings and flaws, and I end the day down in the dumps, frustrated, and self-critical. But then, I get an encouraging text with Romans 8:39- Nothing in all creation will ever separate us from the Love of God that is in Christ Jesus. We return to the hidden evil-looking man, whose day has been sheer pleasure- just sitting back, watching and assisting one of God's children beat herself up. But now, what is this he sees? The girl is picking up her Bible and turning to a verse about God's love?? He jumps up, enraged, and punches his fist into the couch he was reclining upon. An angry scream escapes his mouth as he realizes his torture-the-girl session is over. The devil really does delight in my failure and it brings him joy when my thoughts are self-critical, hateful, or evil. That's why God's word says to take those thoughts captive (2 Corinthians 10:5) and declare in Jesus' name that the devil does not belong in your mind. Speak life! Think life! And on those days when it feels like you're so unworthy or imperfect, just remember that Jesus doesn't think so. He died for you, which shows you that you that he thinks you're pretty amazing! More scripture on this topic: Romans 8:31-39, Romans 6:6-7, 1 Corinthians 10:13, James 4:7EndFragment