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Last night, I was reminded of the phrase “I see you” from the movie “Avatar: The Way of the Water” and how it captures the essence of how God sees us – with love, compassion, and understanding, even in our times of suffering and feelings of inadequacy. This thought motivated me to write this blog post today, as I wanted to explore further what the Bible says about how God sees us and what that means for our own self-perception.

In a conversation earlier today, someone apologized to me and said, “I’m sorry” for being themselves. I was taken aback and asked them, “For what?” They couldn’t give me a clear answer, but I knew deep down that they were struggling with feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. I responded by telling them, “Don’t ever apologize for being you.” It was a reminder that we should never feel the need to apologize for who God created us to be, even if we don’t always feel confident or worthy.

Hagar’s story in the Bible exemplifies how God sees us in our suffering and hardship. Hagar was an Egyptian servant of Sarai, the wife of Abram. Sarai could not bear children, so she gave Hagar to Abram as a concubine to have children through her. However, when Hagar became pregnant, Sarai mistreated her, and she fled into the wilderness.

In her distress, Hagar encountered an angel of the Lord who told her to return to Sarai and submit to her authority. The angel also promised Hagar that her descendants would be too numerous to count and that God had seen her suffering. Hagar responded by calling God “El Roi,” which means “the God who sees.” (Genesis 16:13)

The name El Roi is a powerful reminder that God sees us in our struggles and suffering. It is a characteristic of God that we remember and trust when we feel unseen or unheard. When we feel like no one understands or cares about us, we can turn to El Roi and know that He sees us and is with us.

Exodus 3:9 and Psalm 34:5 are other verses that speak to how God sees us and cares about our suffering. In Exodus 3:9, God says to Moses, “And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them.” And in Psalm 34:5, David writes, “Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.” These verses remind us that God sees our suffering and cares about our well-being.

Luke 12:7 is another verse that speaks to how God sees us. Jesus tells his disciples, “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” This verse reminds us that God sees and knows us down to the smallest detail.

I want to encourage you today that you are seen. You are known by the creator of the Universe. God sees what’s hidden in your heart and hears your silent prayers. When you feel invisible, let Him remind you that you matter.

So how should these truths about how God sees us impact our own self-perception? We can let go of negative self-talk and embrace the truth that God loves and values us. We can trust in his plan for our lives and seek to live out our God-given purpose with confidence and courage. And when we feel unseen or unheard, we can call upon El Roi and know He sees us and is with us.

Let the phrase “I see you” serve as a powerful reminder of how God sees us and desires for us to see ourselves – as beloved children of God, fearfully and wonderfully made and created for a specific purpose. Let’s embrace this truth and live out our identity with confidence and joy. And let’s also remember that we are seen and known by God, down to the smallest detail, and that we matter to Him.