Notes of Faith October 21, 2025
Out of Focus
It’s hard to continually obsess over what you don’t like about yourself when you’re constantly thinking about what you love about God.
Have you noticed how it’s nearly impossible to look at a group photo and not immediately find yourself in the picture and begin to nitpick?
“Oh, gosh, why do I smile like that?”
“Yikes, I look terrible.”
“Fine, whatever. I can’t look at myself in photos.”
We laugh it off, but if we’re honest, the fixation with the way we look or feel about ourselves consumes our minds more than we admit. From the way we talk to the texture of our hair, to the size of our hips, to the way we walk — we are experts on all the things we would change about ourselves if we could.
I imagine that if we could hear each other’s inner thoughts, we’d be surprised to find we’re not alone in our self-criticism. The cacophony of analysis, nit-picking, and self-degradation would break our hearts if what we really thought about ourselves filled the rooms we walked into.
Here’s a confronting question for you and me both: If God, your Creator, were to hear every word you say about yourself or know every thought you think about yourself, would He be pleased? Would He smile really big? Would He celebrate the words you use to describe yourself or your body?
Ouch.
Friend, He does hear every word, and He does know every thought. And because what we think directs how we live, our thoughts really matter.
What if we combat the negative thoughts that consume us with truths from God’s Word?
Changing the way we feel about ourselves is not about embracing worldly forms of self-love, nor is it about simply adopting healthy lifestyle changes; it’s about aligning our thoughts with God’s thoughts about us.
Be consumed with God’s Word and help yourself and others remember it through speaking truth, thinking truth, singing truth, and praising God for truth.
To know God’s viewpoint about us is the starting point, regardless of what kind of physical or lifestyle change is in order. You see, good self-esteem is equally unobtainable through pride or shame. Neither posture aligns with God’s heart for you. Just choosing to like yourself is a game you’ll lose if it’s based on comparison or your feelings. Trying to “make yourself better” in response to shame is also a losing battle. God is pleased when we align our thoughts with His. He transforms our lives with the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2).
So how do we move from being consumed by thoughts about ourselves to thoughts God desires? The apostle Paul wrote quite a bit about our thoughts, connecting our thoughts with our state of mind — whether we are rejoicing, anxious, or at peace. My guess is that Paul understood what it was to dwell on unhelpful thoughts about self. And therefore, he exhorted:
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. — Colossians 3:16
In other words: Be consumed with God’s Word and help yourself and others remember it through speaking truth, thinking truth, singing truth, and praising God for truth.
I’m always amazed how the answer to our anxious thoughts, about ourselves or otherwise, is never to think harder or be better; it’s to turn our thoughts to God. It’s a call for self-forgetfulness.
If we’re forgetting self, what, then, do we think about?
Again, Paul gave clear instructions:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me — practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
— Philippians 4:6–9
Here’s a simple exercise to apply this passage to your life:
How has God uniquely created you? Think about that.
How has Christ redeemed you in spite of your unloveliness? Think about that.
How has God faithfully transformed you little by little? Think about that.
What, in your life, is more than you deserve? Think about that.
Where do you see God restoring beauty for ashes? Think about that.
What do you get to do with your hands and feet and with the other parts of your body He’s given you to use? Think about that.
How can you use your body to be an instrument of praise rather than an object of critique? Think about that.
How could you take care of your body in a way that delights your Maker? Think about that.
What in creation is beautiful to you? Think about that.
How can you image Christ today? Think about that.
How about simply thinking more about others and less about yourself? Think about all these things.
When you think about those things, you begin thinking less about yourself and more about Christ and others. The words we think or speak about ourselves will change when we focus on what is beautiful about God instead of what we don’t find lovely about ourselves.
It’s hard to continually obsess over what you don’t like about yourself if you are constantly thinking about what you love about God.
The words we think or speak about ourselves will change when we focus on what is beautiful about God instead of what we don’t find lovely about ourselves.
As we fix our thoughts on Him as his Word dwells in us richly, things begin to change. I imagine that if we could hear each other’s inner thoughts as His Word dwells in us richly, we’d be surprised to find we’re not alone, and the cacophony of praise, rejoicing, and loveliness would encourage us deeply.
California Poppy
“Beneath the sun’s embrace, the poppy finds its radiant purpose.” The author of this quote is unknown, but it’s not hard to envision these beauties glowing in the sun. It is said that when Spaniards first saw California hillsides covered in the golden poppies, they called it the “land of fire.”1 That is radiance.
Is it not the same with us? Are we the most radiant when we’re actively experiencing the Son’s embrace? On the days we make ourselves attentive and available to Jesus, aware of His precious embrace, we are the most radiant. Most alive. Most content with who He is and who He made us to be.
We are children of the King. Fearfully and wonderfully made. Deeply beloved. Radiant in His presence.
1. “California Poppy,” Nature Collective, accessed October 29, 2024, https://naturecollective.org/plant-guide/details/california-poppy/
Excerpted from The Way of the Wildflower by Ruth Chou Simons, copyright Ruth Chou Simons.
The more intimate focus we have on the Lord Jesus Christ and time spent with thoughts of Him, the more joy-filled our lives will be.
I am looking forward to my eternal walk with God, made perfect, without sin, inheriting the joy of my Master, Lord and Savior. I pray that this is your heart and mind today and that you run the race of life to win.
Pastor Dale