Proverbs 23:7 says that the way we think about ourselves will determine how we live (my paraphrase). How you see yourself shapes your view not just of yourself, but of others, the world around you, and even God. Our behaviors, physical appearances, circumstances, and the opinions of others all jockey for position in trying to influence how we think about ourselves but only God has that right! God sees beyond what we can see…He sees the heart.
God told the prophet Samuel that He had chosen the next king from among Jesse’s sons, but there was a problem… there were eight of them. Samuel didn’t know which one was the appointed king, so he did what came naturally, he started to choose the one that “looked” like a king. Isn’t this exactly what we all do? We make our evaluation of ourselves or others based only on what we see rather than what God sees? Finally, David, the youngest son, who tended the sheep was brought before Samuel and God confirmed that he was the one. While others saw a pesky little brother or a simple shepherd boy, God saw royalty! This is how God sees you! As a child of the King of all kings, you are royalty! Will you dare to see yourself as God does? After all, what He sees is truth and that truth will set you free!
But the LORD said to Samuel, ’Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.