Self-hatred is something that seems to permeate our society, especially among women.  Personally, this is something I have struggled with my entire life.  I have really been thinking about this as I seek God’s healing and deliverance from every remnant of self-hatred that has plagued me since childhood.  Most self-hatred seems to center around physical appearance and physical beauty.  What I am realizing is that that is a very 1-dimensional view.  My body is not just my physical appearance – it is my mind, my personality, my intellect, my spirit, my emotions, my heart, and my senses.  So, I have begun to pray like this:

I praise You God for my knees, for they allow me to kneel at Your throne.
I praise You God for my legs, for they allow me to stand in Your presence.
I praise You God for my arms, so I can raise them to worship You.
I praise You God for my hands, for with them I carry the sword of the Spirit and the shield of faith.
I praise You God for my mind, so I can meditate on Your Word.
I praise You God for my mouth, for with it I can worship You and speak blessing.
I praise You God for my senses, so I can see, hear, smell, and taste all that you have created.
I praise You God for my spirit, for through it You allow me to see You, hear Your voice, and sense Your presence.
I praise You God for my lungs, for through them You give me breath.
I praise You God for my heart, for through it You give me life.
I praise You God for my femaleness, for it is the glory of how You designed and created me.

When Jesus died and purchased me with His blood, He eliminated any right I may think I have to self-hatred.  I am not my own.  I have no right to say to my Creator “why did you make me this way?”  In fact, I have learned that I have no rights except these:

1. To be adopted as God’s child.
2. To cry Abba, Father.
3. To come boldly to the throne of grace anytime, any place, for any reason.
4. To worship Him with every part of me forever.

Some things to think about………….