Lock eyes with Jesus. And throw away the key.

 

It’s really hard being a girl.

Amen, sister.

The clothes. The makeup. The hair. The body. The trendy Instagram. The cute room.

Honestly.

I feel like everywhere I turn, there’s someone doing it better.

I feel like sometimes, when I look in the mirror, when I look at my life, I am not pleased.

I feel like I have to hold to a certain standard, 24/7. A standard of: cute, trendy outfit. Of perfect makeup. Of messy (but not really messy) buns as hairstyle. (Yeah, I know you know what I mean.)  Because I’m fearful of other’s reactions… of what they will think of me.

And I really don’t think I’m alone in this.

I love Jesus. I really, really do. He saved my soul. He covers me in grace. My life is His. I’m sure you do too.

But sometimes, I catch myself comparing me to other girls. “Look at her cute outfit, look how fit she is, look how graceful she acts. I need to be like that.”

Sometimes, I catch myself worrying about what I think others will say about me. “I can’t eat this here. I can’t wear my hair like that. These pants are too baggy. People will think..”

Sometimes, I work myself up so much that I honestly get butterflies. Like I get butterflies in my stomach before I go someplace. Why? Because I don’t feel like I’m enough. My outfit isn’t enough. My makeup and hair aren’t enough. Etc. Etc. Etc.

And I find my heart stressing. And worrying. And getting frustrated.

I really don’t feel like I’m alone in this. I think as Christian ladies, we put the mute on this. I think we all just cover ourselves and our feelings and our real struggles with phrases like, “We are God’s masterpiece.” “We daughters of the King.” “Jesus calls us beautiful, beloved.”

Yes, yes, yes, this is all true. Undoubtedly. Unashamedly.

But, friends, let’s be real with each other.

It’s a real, eminent thing to struggle with feelings of self-inadequacy. To feel like you’re not enough. To compare. To be un-pleased with yourself.

Even when you love Jesus.

 

First, know that you’re not alone in those feelings.

Know that there’s nothing wrong with you.

Know that just because you sometimes feel this way, that it does not mean that your faith isn’t “strong enough.”

Secondly, know that Jesus never whispers doubt and shame.

Know that Jesus is singing over you, at this very, very moment calling you beloved.

Know that those whispers of doubt and shame are not of Jesus. Not from Jesus.

But know that they sometimes can creep up in our hearts.

And it’s not the end of the world.

 

 

Have you ever pictured looking into Jesus’ eyes?

Maybe this is weird, but I do all the time. (Whatever, I love my Jesus and I am sure that He is well pleased with me thinking of Him.)

Anyways, Jesus’ eyes.

The deepest eyes you’ve ever seen.

The eyes that know you.

The eyes that have seen all of your heart, every little crack and hint of brokenness.

The eyes that see your rebellion. That have seen you turn your back to them.

The eyes that are deep and rich with grace. The most heart-rendering grace you’ve ever seen.

The eyes that are flowing with the most intense, fiery, passionate love. All for you.

The eyes that wept. The eyes that saw his people abandon him. The eyes that saw his people pierce the nails in his hands.

The eyes that saw the glory of Heaven. The eyes that saw the face of the Father. The eyes that, then, came down and saw dirt. And brokenness. And pain. And scars.

The eyes that look on you with so much love. The eyes that will make your heart explode. Explode with joy.

The eyes that watched the Father knit you together, fashioning every small detail about you, sewing you together in His own image.

The eyes that have been fixed on you ever since.  Steadfast, relentlessly, fixed on you.

 

 

Friends.

Look into those eyes.

Lock eyes with Jesus.

Fix your gaze on the eyes that will never give up on you.

Set your sights on the Lover who calls you beloved.

Lock eyes with Jesus. And then throw away the key.

 

Because when we look in Jesus’ eyes, we see One who loves because, simply, He is love. Not for what we look like, nor what we do.

When we look in Jesus’ eyes, we find the One who fully knows us, and fully loves us.

When we look in Jesus’ eyes, we can be ourselves. Because He has beautifully made us that way.

He loves us through the bad hair days. Through the times we want to eat a cheeseburger at 2pm. Through the times when we accidentally trip over nothing on the sidewalk.

When we look in Jesus’ eyes, our confidence returns. Because our heart is reminded of who we are: a redeemed, beloved daughter of God.

 

When we look in Jesus’ eyes, all of a sudden, the butterflies go away.

The comparison ceases.

The whispers of shame, of guilt, of unworthiness all vanish.

Because when we look in Jesus’ eyes, all we know is grace that covers us, and love that made us.

 

 

Friends, don’t focus on mantras or quotes or sayings or what not.

Don’t try to “tough it out.”

Don’t go with some gushy, motivational pep talk.

Just look into Jesus’ eyes.

Take a moment, and really just look into His deep, gracious, bewildering eyes.

Let Him remind of you of who He says you are. Let His grace run over your heart.

And then, face the world again. Now, with a newfound boldness, a newfound humility, a newfound grace.

 

Remember, it’s okay, it’s even normal that whispers of doubt, shame, and unworthiness creep in your heart.

Just look in Jesus’ eyes.

It will all be okay, my dear sister.

 

With much, much love. And a hug. –Melissa

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I would love to hear from you!

Comment below, or email me at:  mysweetjesusblog@gmail.com

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65 replies to “Lock eyes with Jesus. And throw away the key.”

    2. Thanks for sharing ! We hear about Jesus’s love for us every day. But when I get down and blue., I know the love is still surrounding me, but I feel unworthy .. Big .. Or small

      I pray that Jesus stands a breath away cause I need him. Going thru some ruff edges rt not
      And I really really to get a grip& I pray & cry out for him to hold me up and help my broken pieces find their rightful places.. In Jesus’s name , AMEN

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      1. Janice,
        I am so sorry that you have been feeling unworhy, but please know that it’s a common feeling- you are not alone in that. Sometimes, we just have to surrender everything- even our feelings into the hand of the Father and ask Him to work. Your feelings do not define God’s love. God loves you so dearly. You don’t have to be perfect- that’s the whole essence of the cross. Praying that the Lord would surround you with His love and peace today. Much love to you, my friend!

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  5. what an empowering and refreshing reminder for all ages. thank you for sharing this wisdom that I’m sure lies close to so many’s hearts!

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  7. Pingback: Lock eyes with Jesus. And throw away the key. – thesaltcafe

  10. Wow, I really loved this! What a great perspective to have. It’s such a common issue for Christian women (especially if you’re a college student like me just trying to figure out your place in the world), and yet you point us to a beautifully simple solution. Thanks for sharing. Much love.

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    1. Rickie, thank you so much for your encouragement. It means so much! I am a college student too, so I can totally relate to find our place in this world- just keep remembering that our place in truly in Heaven, with our Savior. Much love!!

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  11. this is the best description of what I’ve been feeling for awhile. this was a greatly needed, beautiful article. thank you so much for sharing

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  12. Thank you for sharing this!!! I think you have touched what many women, young and mature feel or have felt at some point in their lives. I know this touched my heart and you are “spot on” !! May God bless you as you continue to share and bless others.

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  13. Thank you Debbie that reminds me that though you might not known it But You and others that You have ministered to me in so many ways and if you never got me to go see Charlie Gerber I do not think I could have made it and I so love you for that I am so glad we became friends and I know this is going to sound a little corny But I had very few Maternity outfits when I was pregnant for Stanley and you gave me a dress and some clothes I hope I said Thank You then But you do not know just how much I appreciated you for knowing how I felt and this is another time I want to thank you God Bless you always in what you are doing and making such an impact on my Life and I Love you I wore my cds out so I tell David that we need to get some when we are going to have to get some We will see

    love you

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  14. I absolutely loved this article. I shared it in FB for all of my friends to read and they have shred it too. Thank you for being a faithfull servant of Christ and allowing Him to work through you for the goodness of Him. Well done!!

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  16. Pingback: Lock eyes with Jesus. And throw away the key. – ——-Printed Praise ——- Faith, Life, & DIY ——-

  17. Divine Perception
    We are all creative in many different ways. When we see a beautiful painting we have the choice to admire it and the talent of the one by who created it. We can find an awesome reverence in the unseen toil that it must have taken to arrive at that place. Time, energy, frustration, the painful agony of defeat and endless failures all while the hearts desire perseveres because it must. While we do not all share the same talents we share the same God, the creator who gave us each some things. Some things that others will stand back and say, “wow” because God wants us to admire his creation in each of us as each other’s mirrors. He wants us to see what we cannot see in ourselves that we can find in ourselves what He sees, what He has made in each of us.
    When the message gets muddled by self doubt remember, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we can change our immediate perception. Look at whatever is beautiful, admire it, be awed by it, appreciate the work of art that it is and praise God for showing you his glory through their efforts. He’s talking to us, choose to hear Him. Then you will begin see what he has created in you that makes the rest of us say, “wow!”

    The opportunity to practice this divine perception is everywhere, may it lift you up!

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  19. Thank you for this very true and inspirational post. It really hit home. It brought tears to my eyes. I am a mother of 11 children and one just turned 16 today. I homeschool them and hardly have time for myself. But I love Jesus with all my heart and know that He loves me. Thank you for this inspiration. I shared it on Facebook as well so it can touch a lot of other people too. Kimberly

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Kimberly,
      Wow! You are truly an incredible lady and a beautiful vessel of the Lord. Thank you for all that you do, please know that it is very much appreciated and that the Lord is so pleased with you. Thank you for your encouragement and for your support. It means so much! Much, much love to you, my dear sister!

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  20. We heard this same message yesterday in a woman’s prayer and fellowship at church and as sermon this morning.

    Fix my eyes on HIM!

    God bless!

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  25. Yes. Yes. Yes.
    I need to read this every single day. To be reminded every day to look into the eyes of my Savior. To know that he is the great romancer and lover of my soul and I am his beloved. As a Young Life leader, THIS is what I want my high school friends to know. My friends who have met Jesus and are trying to figure out exactly what a relationship with him really means and my friends who don’t want anything to do with him (or me some days). I want to know this daily and I want them to know this daily.
    Thank you for these sweet words.

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    1. Katie,

      AMEN girl, I need to be reminded too! You said it so perfectly- “To know that he is the great romancer and lover of my soul and I am his beloved.” Such beauty!! Keep on gazing into the eyes of the great romancer, the lover of your soul. Keep giving your heart over to Him to lavish in grace.
      Much love to you, my dear friend.

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  28. I think of things like this SOOOO often. If God is my Father, then Jesus is my brother… Who ever really looks at their brother (or sister or kids to take it a step further) and judges them?! We don’t! We just LOVE them! And that’s how we are here on earth. Our relationship with Jesus is even deeper! Of course he wants us healthy (just as we want our relatives here) but it’s not judgment. It’s not requirements on size, fashion, or what-have-you. I’m pretty crazy about Jesus 😉

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    1. Jessie,
      Yes it’s so true that we just love our family.. just for who they are! And undoubtedly the Lord looks at us in the same way and just loves us. Simple as that. Thanks for your sweet words! Much love to you, my friend!

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  30. It’s amazing to hear someone express what we all feel inside. I don’t think I could have put it in words if I tried, but this was perfect. I love the idea of locking eyes with Jesus. Very much needed. Thank you!

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  32. Well stated! Profound! Timely for the body! Revelation! I too, picture Jesus with me and that helps so much to know that even if others around you are unloving, unkind, unaccepting of who you are, Jesus accepts you just as you are.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. So glad you enjoyed it! Praise God for His goodness in every season and in every heart. AMEN to what you said about Jesus accepting us even in the midst of unacceptance from others! I love your passion. Much love to you, my friend!

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