Basic Questions People Have on Self Acceptance Part 2

In the last lesson we discussed the question, Why does God allow physical or mental deformities to mar the life and happiness of certain people? We showed the Incomplete frame of reference which Prompted the questions. And then we concluded with the Underlying Principles required to see God's perspective. Now we would like to look at a second question that many ask.

If God “prescribed” us before we are born, what about man's intervention which actually affects the child's appearance of abilities?

First, we must explain what is meant by the word “prescribed” in reading the above statement. It means that God prescribed every single detail of your body. He deliberately chose your race, the color of you skin, your hair, and every other feature. He custom-made your body just the way he wanted it. He also determined the natural talents you would possess and the uniqueness of your personality.

Second, Gods perspective is that He is shaping us and building character qualities within us that we wouldn’t otherwise have.

These are some of the Character qualities he is wanting to build within us:

* HUMILITY - Excepting that in life there is a Chain of Command starting with God.
* MEEKNESS - Being willing to Yield our Rights to that Chain of Command.
* MOURNING - Grieving with God. In other words learning to mourn over the things God mourns over.
* MERCY - Forgiving all Offenders
* PURITY - of thought, word and action. This comes by communing with God in prayer, meditation, and reading of Gods word through out the day.
* SPIRITUAL HUNGER – having a hunger for spiritual things through prayer and fasting.
* PEACEMAKING - Clear Conscience. Making peace with those we have wronged or with those who have wronged us. A clear conscience comes from knowing we did all we could to make things right.
* SUFFERING – Excepting our sources of irritation as something tht God wants to use as a positive in our lives.

A third question that is asked about self-acceptance:

To what degree should we cover up our scars and defects?

OUR NATURAL THINKING SAYS...

God owes every person a full, happy, healthy life, and that if He does anything to shorten it, then He is being unfair and is to be blamed.
(Luke 13:1-5)
And there were present, at that very time, some that told him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answering, said to them: Think you that these Galileans were sinners above all the men of Galilee, because they suffered such things? No, I say to you: but unless you shall do penance, you shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen upon whom the tower fell in Siloe, and slew them: think you, that they also were debtors above all the men that dwelt in Jerusalem? No, I say to you; but except you do penance, you shall all likewise perish.

(Matthew 20:1-16)
The kingdom of heaven is like to an householder, who went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And having agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And going out about the third hour, he saw others standing in the market place idle. And he said to them: Go you also into my vineyard, and I will give you what shall be just. And they went their way. And again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did in like manner.
But about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing, and he saith to them: Why stand you here all the day idle? They say to him: Because no man hath hired us. He saith to them: Go you also into my vineyard. And when evening was come, the lord of the vineyard saith to his steward: Call the labourers and pay them their hire, beginning from the last even to the first. When therefore they were come, that came about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first also came, they thought that they should receive more: and they also received every man a penny.
And receiving it they murmured against the master of the house, Saying: These last have worked but one hour, and thou hast made them equal to us, that have borne the burden of the day and the heats. But he answering said to one of them: Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst thou not agree with me for a penny? Take what is thine, and go thy way: I will also give to this last even as to thee. Or, is it not lawful for me to do what I will? is thy eye evil, because I am good? So shall the last be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.

We seem to think that scars or defects will repel people from us and detract from our happiness
in life.

GOD’S PERSPECTIVE: 

He uses outward “scars” and “defects” to develop inward qualities, regardless of whether the “scars” were directly caused by God, or others, or us.

Before covering up any “defects” we must attach significant meaning to them. Make them reminders of God’s ownership and motivations to finish inward qualities. Any concealment of scars or defects must be done on the basis that it detracts attention from communication of inward qualities.

Self-worth increases as we make significant contributions to the body of Christ. (Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4:25; 5:30)