You are wonderfully made
Series: EIFACH muetig – with Jesus as a role model | Bible text: Psalm 139:14
Words, but also thoughts, have power: they can build us up or destroy us, heal us or hurt us (Proverbs 18:21). That is why it is crucial what we think about throughout the day. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we learn to recognise false thoughts and replace them with truths from the living Word of God.
«Have you washed your hands?» – We all know this phrase. It is estimated that parents ask their child this question between 5,000 and 30,000 times during childhood. And for good reason: washing hands is important. It helps to remove harmful bacteria and viruses that can damage our bodies. In this way, we prevent pathogens from entering our organism via our hands. Our society attaches great importance to köPhysical hygiene – and that’s a good thing. But just as important is the Mental hygiene. What do I mean by that? Mental hygiene means that we consciously take care of our thoughts – just as we clean our hands.
How do you feel about yourself? This question is highly relevant not only philosophically, but also spiritually and psychologically. After all, our thoughts shape our identity, influence our decisions – and even affect our physical health.
The Bible speaks again and again about how important it is to guard our inner selves, to examine our thoughts and to accept God’s view of us. Wrong thoughts can not only put a strain on our body, but also have a negative impact on our environment. Thoughts have power – they can build us up or weaken us, heal us or hurt us. «Words have power: they canöcan decide over life and death. Those who like to talköIf you do, you have to live with the consequences» (Proverbs 18:21 HfA). This Bible verse shows us the enormous power of words. What we say does not remain without consequences – we will experience the fruits of our words. Those who «like to hear themselves talk» will sooner or later be confronted with the consequences of their statements. But not only words, thoughts also carry power. Thoughts are like silent words that constantly accompany us – and they have an impact on our lives. It is therefore crucial – especially for parents – that we pass on healthy and truthful thoughts. In times of social media, we, our children and young people, are constantly falling into the victim role: «I’m not as cool, not as rich, not as pretty, not as strong. Everyone else has more and is better.»
Today we want to discover together how good thoughts about ourselves not only strengthen our spiritual life, but also promote our emotional and physical health.
God’s thoughts about you
«For I know the thoughts that I have toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of sorrow, to give you a future and a hope» (Jeremiah 29:11 LUT). This verse is a key to a healthy self-image. God thinks Good about you. His thoughts are Peaceful, hopeful and future-orientated. When the creator of the universe looks at you, he does not see your mistakes, but your potential. He does not see your past, but your calling. Many people struggle with self-doubt because they believe that they are not enough. But God’s thoughts are different. He says: You are wanted. You are loved. You are called. What God has spoken about us will certainly change our lives.
«So it is with my word that comes from my mouth. It will not return without fruit, but it will do what I want and fulfil what I have sent it for» (Isaiah 55:11 NLB). We can be full of confidence: His words bring life and healing.
You are wonderfully made
«I thank you that I am wonderfully made; wonderful are your works, and my soul recognises them well» (Psalm 139:14 LUT). David speaks a profound truth here: Self-acceptance begins with gratitude. He recognises: «I am wonderfully made.» We are a masterpiece of God. One day I discovered what I do when I look at myself negatively, when a lot of things about me bother me. When I do that, I accuse God, then I say to him, your job was bad, you didn’t do anything good. But the word of God says something else.
How often do we look in the mirror and only see what we lack? But God invites us to see with his eyes. You are not an accident. You are not a mistake. You are an expression of divine creativity. When you begin to believe that, your thinking changes. And your thinking changes your life.
Thoughts shape reality and bring life
«More than anything else, guard your heart, for life emanates from it» (Proverbs 4:23 LUT). The heart – in the biblical sense – is the seat of your thoughts, feelings and decisions. What you think about yourself influences how you behave, how you form relationships and how you deal with challenges.
If you believe that you are worthless, you will behave like one. If you believe that you are loved, you will live with courage and hope. That’s why the Bible says: Guard your heart. Pay attention to what you think about yourself. Because these thoughts are like seeds – they grow and bear fruit.
Think the good
«What true what is honourable, what is just, what is pure, what is lovable, what has a good reputation – be mindful of this» (Philippians 4:8 LUT). Paul gives us here a kind of Thought filter. Not everything we think is true. Not everything we believe about ourselves comes from God.
That is why it is important to scrutinise our thoughts:
- Is this thought true?
- Is it constructive?
- Does it lead me closer to God’s truth?
When you start, Cultivate good thoughts about yourselfyou will notice how your inner climate changes. You will become calmer, clearer and more hopeful.
Science confirms: Thoughts influence health
A study by the University of California, Berkeley (2018) showed that positive Self-perception directly with better immune function, lower stress levels and hölife satisfaction is connected. People who view themselves with compassion and appreciation have measurable Fewer inflammatory markers in the blood and a Lower susceptibility to depression. This confirms: What you think about yourself not only influences your psyche – but also your body.
Other research projects also confirm that our thoughts have a direct influence on our health. A Cambridge study from 2023 confirms earlier findings that show that negative thoughts can make a significant contribution to triggering or maintaining depression.
Reprogramming thoughts – Caroline Leaf
The Christian neuroscientist Dr Caroline Leaf has spent over 30 years researching the connection between the brain, thoughts and beliefs. She says: «You are not a victim of your biology. You can change your brain by changing your thinking.» «You are not a victim of your biology.» You can change your brain with your thoughts. This means: You can learn, Recognise and replace negative thought patterns. You are not at the mercy of God – you are empowered. God has given you the ability to renew your mind (Romans 12:2) and thereby change your life. The living Word of God says: «Therefore, do not be guided by the behaviour and habits of this world, but let God transform you into new people by changing your way of thinking» (Romans 12:2 NLB).
Practical steps to good thoughts
1. recognise the lies!
What thoughts about yourself are not in line with God’s Word? «I’m not enough.» – «I will never make it.» – «I’m not lovable.» These thoughts are not from God.
2. replace it with truth
Use Bible verses such as Jeremiah 29:11 or Psalm 139:14 as a daily reminder: «I am wonderfully made.» «God has good thoughts about me.» «I am loved and called.»
3. say it out loud
Words have power. Speak good thoughts about yourself every day. Not out of pride, but out of faith.
4. surround yourself with truth
Read the Bible, listen to sermons, talk to people who remind you of God’s view of you.
Good thoughts about yourself is not a superficial optimism. It is a spiritual act of renewala psychological step towards healing and a practical path to a healthy life. You are not defined by the mistakes or opinions of others, but through God’s encouragement! You are not what others say about you. You are not what your past whispers to you. You are what God says about you – and that is marvellous, loved, appointed, fähigh and valuable.
Application
Recognise the lie.
We may have known about them for a long time – but we keep feeding them, consciously or unconsciously. One practical application could be to reduce our consumption of social media – or even do without it altogether. After all, we are constantly confronted with comparisons, ideals and distorted images that feed false thoughts about ourselves.
Replace it with the truth.
How about memorising the verse in Psalm 134:19?
Say it – think it out.
Our thoughts are sometimes like a scratched record: they repeat the same negative patterns day after day. But we have the choice to break these inner loops. A practical application could be to consciously remember God’s thoughts about us on the way to work.
Surround yourself with truth.
Listening to a sermon on Sunday is a good start – a moment in which God’s word touches our hearts. But truth doesn’t just need to be heard once a week, it needs to be lived and absorbed every day. A next step could be to listen to a Christian radio station – for example on the way to work, while cooking or in quiet moments. In this way, God’s truth becomes a constant companion in everyday life – not just on Sundays, but in the midst of life.
I trust that the Holy Spirit speaks to each of us personally, touches us and guides us on his path. «Lord, I thank you that you have good thoughts about me. Help me to keep my heart and renew my thoughts. Show me where I have believed lies – and replace them with your truth. I am wonderfully made. I am loved. I am yours. Amen.»
Possible questions for the small group
- What do you think? How important are your thoughts? Are you aware of your thoughts?
- Are there thoughts that accompany you through life?
- What thoughts do you want to delete from your life? Are there lies in your life? Have you become aware of any? Has the Holy Spirit revealed anything?
- Where do these lies come from?
- How could you be freed from these thoughts?
- Are there places, people or media where you should be careful so that the wrong thoughts no longer come about you?
- Are there any Bible passages you would like to memorise? What does the living Word of God say about you?
