Brave Beauty: Finding the Fearless Youنمونہ

Getting to Know You My whole life I have kept a diary. Maybe you journal too! I think it’s fun reading about who I was when I was younger. You know what I learned when I read it? I like me! Really … I was pretty cool. I wish now that I could go back and tell me just how cool I was, because I really didn’t know. I worried a lot about friends, parties, and not doing the things I knew were wrong and whether or not I was going to turn out ok. I struggled with liking myself just the way I was, especially if I thought someone else didn’t like me. I didn’t always feel good about myself and had a hard time being brave enough to just be myself. Maybe when I talked about my struggles you thought, “Me too!” You worry about fitting in because in some ways you are just a bit different than others. Your personality, your body, even your family aren’t the same as others, so sometimes you have a hard time liking yourself just the way you are. You know what? You don’t have to be like me! In fact, if you were like me, you would not fully be you. You can know now that you are already amazing. When God created you, He made you great from the very beginning. He says about us in Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV), “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” You know why He is singing? Ever listen to love songs? Why do guys and girls write all that mushy stuff? It’s because they are crazy about someone! They are so in love; they just have to sing about them. That is how Jesus feels about you. He is absolutely crazy about you! Knowing for sure that He is crazy about us can fill up all those doubting places in our vulnerable hearts. That’s when we can be ok with ourselves just the way we are. Let’s learn a little more about what makes amazing you, so amazing! Getting to Know You: Which one best describes you: On a Saturday afternoon, would you: (It’s ok to pick more than one!) * Read a book by yourself. * Paint your nails with your best friend. * Go exploring in the woods with a group of buddies. What’s more fun? * Writing a drama while your imagination dreams away. * A sleepover with your two favorite friends. * A party with a pile of girls. How do you feel about meeting new people? * I like the friends I have. I don’t really need more. * A new friend now and then is fun. * New friends? The more, the better! Courageous Call: Dear Jesus, thank you that You “take great delight in me.” Wow! That is really cool. Thank you for letting me know that I am that special to You! In Jesus’ name, Amen.