Embrace who You are.

" Do you know how to be quiet?" We have all heard a parent say this to us at a time in our lives. Then they say to you, "Will you sit down?" and look around the room to see how noticeable everyone else is of their child. God made us all have unique abilities and characteristics that one day will bring Him glory. While some of these qualities may seem like a burden, they are often what God will use to glorify His kingdom. The fruit of the spirit is often what people think of, but I am not referring to the positive qualities we gain by walking with God, but the traits we often classify as negative. 
Speaking badly about ourselves
If we look in scripture, this is shown in several Biblical characters. Moses had a stuttering problem, Sarai was old, David was a shepherd, and the list goes on. How many times do we look at how God has made us and speak badly about it? Not only ourselves but those around us. "I am shy; I could never speak in front of others." We often compare ourselves, " I wish I could sing like that." Never looking at ourselves the way God sees us. Then there are times that we project onto others, " they need to do …." We play God, like we know what He has called them to do. The truth is that only God knows what we are capable of and only He can reveal that to us in His timing. There are three things we can do to embrace who we are and encourage others to do the same.
Positive Thoughts
The first thing is to speak positively, not allowing fear to have a stronghold over our minds. This may seem easy, but when we are afraid, we often forget to speak truth over ourselves. This could be re-reading scripture in our heads, or affirmations in a time of discomfort.  In order to speak the truth, we must first know it and believe it; this is without question. If we do not believe what we are saying, then we are wasting our breath. This must also be done for others as well. Speaking positively when your mind is flooded with negative thoughts, we can also change our mindset to love more freely, and we will be able to express ourselves openly. Do not have the wrong motives, like ourselves, we must believe what we are saying to that person, and speak out of love. This might mean apologizing even if you are not in the wrong. Complimenting someone even though they have a lot to still work on.  Choose to be a peacemaker, a lover of others instead of a judge over them. Romans 13:10 says, "Love does not harm a neighbor". 
Don't be afraid to try
Another tool to embrace how God made you is to explore the possibilities. This could be done by trial and error ( school of hard knocks) or going to the one who created you in prayer. I have tried several jobs and received many different certifications. On the outside, this could look like I have failed over and over again, which I have. This doesn't define me! Satan likes to remind me of how I tried and failed, but God tells me that he was working for me to become who I am today. Psalm 40:2-3 says, "He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand." If it weren't for my failures, I would not be molded into who I am today. Our failures never define us; they make us more like Christ. We can choose to stop, or we can keep looking up to Christ and working to His promise of completion within us.