“What man among you, who has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open field and go after the lost one until he finds it? When he has found it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders, and coming home, he calls his friends and neighbors together, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my lost sheep!’ I tell you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who don’t need repentance” (Luke 15:4–7 CSB).
After my breast cancer diagnosis, when I rekindled my relationship with God, I felt so ashamed of my past mistakes. I wondered what God thought of me now, given my history of disregarding His commandments and living according to my own desires.
I believed God was very disappointed in me, and I questioned His love for me.
Thankfully, I’ve learned a thing or two in the last 22 years. If you have any doubts about what God thinks of you, read His Word, the Bible. It is a love letter to you.
In her book, It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way, Lysa TerKeurst writes, “We must let God’s Word become the words we believe and receive as truth. We must let God’s Word become the words of our story.” 1
This is what God thinks of you
Grab your Bible or your phone with the Bible app and meditate on these passages of scripture.
- Why should I say I am not good enough when God says I created you in my image (Genesis 1:27)?
- Why should I think I am worthless when the Bible says you are a priceless treasure (Matthew 10:30-31)?
- Why should I fear when the Bible says I will protect you and be with you forever (Matthew 28:20; Psalm 91:1-2)?
- Why should I feel alone when Jesus says I am with you always and will never leave or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)?
- Why should I feel like a don’t belong when Jesus says you belong to me and I am preparing a place for you (1 John 4:4; John 14:1-3)?
- Why should I say I have no friends when God says I am your friend (Romans 5:10 NLT)?
- Why should I say I can’t when the Bible says I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13)?
- Why should I feel worthless when God says I have a plan and a purpose for your life (Jeremiah 29:11)?
- Why should I believe everyone is against me when God says I am always for you (Romans 8:31-32)?
- Why should I be discouraged when the Bible says you are a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17)?
- Why should I feel condemned when God says you are forgiven (1 John 1:9; Acts 3:19)?
- Why should I feel unloved when God says you are my beloved for whom I sent my son to die (John 3:16)?
Final words
Do you still wonder what God thinks of you? Remember the story of the one lost sheep. If you are lost without a Savior, God will never abandon you. He will “leave the 99” and pursue you relentlessly to bring you back to Him. I promise He’ll do it for you like He did for me.
Tune in to the whispers of God’s voice as He reveals truths to your heart and welcome His steadfast love. I hear the rejoicing in heaven!
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, I am so weary of negative thoughts and feelings about myself. I know these feelings and fears are not from you. They are from the evil one who hates me as he hates You. I come before you for help to believe what you say about me in your Word. Thank you for your Word, so I can read and study it and realize how much You love me. That I am your holy and blessed child and redeemed by the blood of your son, Jesus. I know You will protect me and never leave me. Help me give You the glory, both now and forever. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.
Reference
[1] TerKeurst, Lysa. It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way: Finding Unexpected Strength When Disappointments Leave You Shattered. Nelson Books, an Imprint of Thomas Nelson, 2018.
