Charles Horton Cooley, an American sociologist at the start of the 20th century, said: “I am not who you think I am; I am not who I think I am; I am who I think you think I am.”
Read that again. “I am who I think YOU think I am.” The first time I read that statement I thought it was ridiculous. But the more I thought about it, the more I saw the truth in it. I realized that this is true not only in my relationship with other people but also in my relationship with God.
When I was in school, if I thought that my teacher thought that I was smart, I felt smart and even made better grades. On the other hand, I remember very clearly a teacher who I thought thought I was stupid. I gave up trying in that class and ended up with the first and only “F” I ever made.
What is really eye-opening about all of this is that I don’t really know for a fact what they thought of me. My perception alone of what they thought of me had an affect on what I thought of myself.
I still do that today. When I think that my husband thinks I look pretty, I feel pretty. When I think that he thinks I look ugly, I feel ugly. Again, my perception alone determines how I feel.
Recently, I was reading a book (Grace Walk by: Steve McVey) in which the author asked, “If 10 meant total acceptance, how would you rate your acceptance with God on a scale of 1-10?” I thought about that for a while and found that my answer varies.
When I’m being a good Christian girl, I feel God’s acceptance of me is a 10. But, when I have a bad attitude and don’t represent Him well… I would drop that number down to a 5. Because I think that He thinks I am less lovable even though that is simply not true.
The truth is found in Romans 8:38-39,
” And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Sadly, not everyone knows or believes this truth. People living far from God may even believe that He doesn’t like them at all. And let’s be honest, when you think someone doesn’t like you, do you like them? Truthfully, I don’t. I’d rather not waste my time and energy on people who I perceive not to like me. And I think many people feel the same way. And many people feel that way towards God.
It’s one of Satan’s greatest deceptions to make us think that God doesn’t like us. That He is somehow so disappointed in us that He’s done with us. That He doesn’t want us anymore. It’s a lie. Nothing… NOTHING can separate us from the love of God!
God loves you.
He has never stopped loving you.
He will never stop loving you.
The words the Lord spoke to the Israelites, long ago, still ring true for us today, “I have loved you, My people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to Myself.” Jeremiah 31:3
In response to that truth, pray this simple prayer with me:
Thank You Father for Your everlasting love for me. I love You too. Amen.
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