Jesus appreciates you--yes, you!
Do you believe Jesus appreciates you?
It's an odd question, probably something you've never thought about. Most of the time we're told how sinful we are and how we're unable to save ourselves. While that's true, it can trick us into a kind of self-loathing that's dangerous for a Christian.
You know Jesus loves you. He proved that for all time by dying on the cross for your sins. But just as with human beings, you can't love somebody without appreciating them.
What exactly does that mean?
Jesus appreciates you for yourself
One of the great truths of Christianity is that you don't have to clean up your life before you accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.
First, you couldn't do it anyway, and second, that's the Holy Spirit's job. Jesus likes your little quirks, your uniqueness. He never created two persons exactly alike, even identical twins. They have different personalities.
Because Jesus does love you, he constantly works on your sanctification to weed out your bad habits and the traits offensive to God the Father. He wants you to be the best you that you can be.
Physical qualities about yourself you don't like are okay with Jesus. If physical perfection was his goal, he would have created everybody to look like fashion models. He didn't. He's interested in your spiritual maturity.
When you resist temptation with the help of the Holy Spirit, Jesus appreciates you. When you're kind to someone, Jesus is proud of you. When you let snubs and insults bounce off you like bullets off Superman, Jesus cheers for you from heaven.
More than anyone else, Jesus knows you're not perfect. Many times in the Bible we read about God appreciating common men and women, even though they were not sinless. He feels the same way about you.
Take this truth to heart
On your worst days, in the times you're really struggling, Jesus appreciates you. He lives inside you through the Holy Spirit. It's impossible to understand, but we take it on faith because the Bible says so.
There's a lot of comfort in knowing Jesus is aware of the slightest pain in your life. He values you so much he provides the strength you need to get through every trouble.
The Holy Spirit is called the Helper because his desire is to support you when you're weary. No Christian could get through life without him.
When it feels as if you're completely alone, understand that's a lie from Satan. Jesus is with you until one day you're able to see him face-to-face. He never walks out. He never gives up on you.
Sometimes you may feel like a nobody. You may feel like the most worthless person in the universe, but you can't trust your feelings.
You can trust Jesus. He sees what no one else can see. You are precious to him. You are of immense worth to God. His love for you is unconditional. Tattoo that in your heart. Jesus appreciates you.
Bottom photo: RosaryTeam, CC0, via Wikimedia Common
