I really like the story of Leah and Rachel in the bible, they were two sisters who ended up marrying the same man, and it caused so much drama. (You can read more about them in Genesis chapters 29 and 30. They had issues!
“Now Laban had two daughters, the name of the older was Leah and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was lovely in form and beautiful.” (Genesis 29:16-17)
I’m sure Leah is not unique in having “weak eyes” (whatever that may be, let’s call it “issues”). We all have issues – those “weak” areas in our lives, the things that make us feel vulnerable. It might be a scar we wished we didn’t have, or our height, or weight, or shape, or hair, or nose or tummy or other features … The list goes on. Whatever it is, we have this tender spot that hurts when people make a comment about it because it’s something we don’t like about ourselves. However, we must always remember to see ourselves as God sees us. He does not look at our outward appearance, He looks at our heart and as our Father He loves us deeply.
… Parents play a huge role in a child’s upbringing. What they say and do, and how they treat their children, contributes to the process of moulding a child’s character, self-esteem and confidence. Fathers play a vital role in helping their daughters to feel valued and secure in their love. I believe this lays a healthy foundation for the way a woman will view herself in the future.
To not feel valued or loved by your father can deeply affect how you feel about yourself. It can lead to an emptiness inside; to a sense of never feeling good enough; feelings of rejection; to be always seeking love, sometimes in the wrong places; it can lead to bad relationship choices. … But no matter what kind of ….father we have had, we can be sure that our Father God is not like that. He is compassionate and loving and His love is unshakable.
Let us be encouraged by His Word today, “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken… says the Lord, who has compassion on you.”(Isaiah 54:10).
From the book In the Waiting room – finding hope and inspiration when facing disappointment, by Paula J Campbell.
Copyright ©Paula J Campbell 2016