Elizabeth Oates - If You Could See as Jesus Sees: Inspiration for a Life of Hope, Joy, and Purpose

As an advocate for empowering women to discover their true worth and beauty, the heart of Elizabeths book resonates with my core conviction that every single woman is deeply valuable no matter what the world or circumstances might say otherwise. Her vulnerability about her own struggles in this area encourages us to remember we are not immune to this struggle, but must daily strive to align ourselves with the truththat we are forever loved by our Creator and infinitely valuable because of Him. This is a wonderful book/study for women with a hopeful message we all need to hear.

Kirsten Dickerson, Co-founder/CEO of Raven+Lily

At times we all struggle with our identity and mistakenly base our worth on performance and trying to measure up to an ever-changing standard. Elizabeth Oates shows us how the lenses we choose to look through color our view and determine our so-called truth. May this book help you see yourself rightly by looking through the lenses of Christ. And, by knowing His great love and acceptance, set you free from self!

Kristen Hatton, blogger and author, Get Your Story Straight: A Teen Guide for Learning and Living the Gospel

This is an excellent book for women to read in community and open their eyes to the reality that they are a dearly beloved daughter of God.

Dr. Deborah Newman, Minister to Women, Park Cities Baptist Church, author, counselor

Do you compare yourself with the social media versions of your friends and acquaintances? Berate yourself when your neighbor wins parent of the year? Let yourself get sucked into the vacuum of performance and comparison? If you struggle with identity and worth issues, Elizabeth Oates is a kind companion who has walked that same road. And she has a message: you can find hope for yourself and those you influence by seeing yourself as Jesus sees you.

Dr. Sandra Glahn, seminary professor and author of The Coffee Cup Bible Study series

In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it. With vulnerability and personal transparency, Elizabeth Oates gently guides women beyond the self-loathing darkness of negative self-talk into the illuminating light of Christ filled with love, beauty, acceptance, and belonging. From enslavement to freedom, from darkness to light, from how the world sees to how Jesus sees, she whispers Jesus words to women battling negative self-talk, reminding us all that My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.

R. Scott Gornto, author of The Stories We Tell Ourselves

Elizabeths offering is a war cry of women searching for significance. She bravely outs the enemys tactics and refutes them with the hardest hitting weapon we have, the Word of God, just like Jesus did in the desert. I was moved to tears while reading the pages, resonating with the understanding that if women really get this, there will be an army of whole, satisfied, gloriously liberated troops ready to make the ordinary days miraculous and unafraid to shape culture toward Kingdom!

Emily Mills, Founder and Co-CEO of Jesus Said Love

Knowing that you are not alone in your struggle is an issue that all women face, and Elizabeth helps us feel [better] about our inadequacies and our struggles. Get ready for a journey that will change the way you see yourself and others around you.

Deanna Nail, Founder and chief inspirer, Serendipity Ministries

2016 by Elizabeth Oates

Print ISBN 978-1-64352-040-7

eBook Editions:

Adobe Digital Edition (.epub) 978-1-63409-733-8

Kindle and MobiPocket Edition (.prc) 978-1-63409-734-5

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Published in association with the literary agency of Credo Communications, LLC, Grand Rapids, Michigan, www.credocommunications.net.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the H OLY B IBLE , N EW I NTERNATIONAL V ERSION . NIV . Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked MSG are from THE MESSAGE. Copyright by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the H OLY B IBLE . New Living Translation copyright 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked T HE V OICE are taken from The Voice Bible. Copyright 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice translation 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society. All rights reserved.

Published by Shiloh Run Press, an imprint of Barbour Publishing, Inc., 1810 Barbour Drive, Uhrichsville, Ohio 44683, www.shilohrunpress.com

Our mission is to inspire the world with the life-changing message of the Bible.

Printed in the United States of America.

To Clarey and CeCe
May you always see as Jesus sees

Brandon How can I thank you for your constant support and encouragement, for never letting me quit, and for always taking care of our plethora of children while I wrote this book? Most of all, thank you for reminding me that we are on the same team.

Carter, Clarey, and Campbell Thank you for eating countless dinners of chicken nuggets, hot dogs, and pizza while your mom ignored you, night after night, while hiding in my closet and pecking away at my computer. You are selfless and understanding and I want to be like you when I grow up. Thank you for teaching me what I should be teaching you.

CeCe You joined our family one month before I received this book contract and all I could think was, Seriously, God? Youre giving me a baby and a book contract at the same time? Little did I know God was giving us the sweetest, most flexible, most gracious baby on earth. You let me sleep through the night and God gave me lots of energy to write and love you during the day. Thank you for teaching us how to live in the moment and to treasure each day. You are such a gift! Isaiah 43:19

To my extended family Thank you for your support during my writing journey. Everyone needs a cheering section, and I am so glad you are mine.

My BAM sistahs One of you recently posted a quote that said, The most memorable people in life will be the friends who loved you when you werent very lovable. This certainly describes the way you have loved and pursued me: fervently, consistently, and unconditionally. I am grateful for each one of you and you will always be my sistahs. And my BAMs.