It’s taken me a long time to get comfortable with the girl I see in the mirror. I see a wife, a mom, a friend. Too often, I’ve belittled her for extra pounds and being less than perfect. I see and know her stresses, her secrets, her shame. I know what the mask of makeup hides. I see a sinner, not a saint. 

More importantly, what does God see when He looks at me? 

The answer may surprise you! Nothing is hidden from our all-knowing God, but because of the sacrifice of Jesus, God views believers as righteous, free from guilt or sin. Jesus paid our debt, once and for all. 

“God made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we would become the righteousness of God,” 2 Corinthians 5:21. 

Romans 5:1 says, “…we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ….”

We are called righteous. We are chosen and redeemed. We are God’s children (1 John 3:1), “the elect of God, holy and dearly loved” (Colossians 3:12). 

The world is quick to judge, and we are often our own worst critics. But the God of creation chooses to look on us kindly – this is the grace in which we stand.  

I have to challenge myself (and I challenge you!) to know our identity in Christ, then to look at the girl in the mirror and believe it. 

Have you purchased your In Jesus You Are . . . Bible study journal yet? Not only will you find all of the daily reading passages and SOAP journaling pages, but you’ll have each of the daily devotions in printed form–no need to check the app on your phone while working through your study!

Don’t forget, the Bridge Reading Plan is only available in the printed journals! The Bridge is a two-week long reading plan designed to bridge the gap between two studies. In the In Jesus You Are . . .  journal you’ll find the Bridge Reading Plan along with two weeks of SOAP journaling pages and daily Scripture reading! Don’t miss this! The Bridge reading plans will walk through the entire Book of Psalms during 2021. This plan is found only in the study journals, so grab one today! You don’t want to miss out!

When you purchase a journal, you are helping us reach women around the world with the gospel. By purchasing a journal you help our incredible team of volunteer translators build up leaders around the world. Your journal purchase allows women to read God’s Word in their native language and have access to quality Bible study materials in the language they best understand. We hope you’ll join us on our mission to make God’s Word accessible to women in every nation and in every language!

Order the In Jesus You Are . . . and the In Jesus You Are . . . for Kids journals here!

Sara Stevens

Sara is a West Texas girl. She delights in the daily chaos of raising and discipling her four young children. She is a physician, specializing in MRI imaging. Sara is an encouraging friend, intentional at developing authentic relationships. She has a heart for supporting women and families, and she is passionate about Bible translation.