GOD CREATED ALL

Catherine Nicolette
As a little girl, my identity was clear to me; I was a girl. So were my female peers. 
For the boys I knew, life was clear too. They were boys; and so were their male peers. 
I knew, too, that God created male and female, and blessed them. This was clear from Genesis Chapter 5, verse 2. 
I believed that there was only male and female; until I became aware of a further blessing God created.
Within His creation of male and female, lies further detail; some are born with both male and female characteristics.

Discernment 
During my childhood, I became aware of the journey some undergo, attempting to discern whether they are inherently male or female.
The reason for this need for discernment is the fact that their bodies have been blessed by nature with both attributes. 
As teenagers, those with both attributes undergo the process of having to come to terms with their unique bodies. As do we all.
So it was from my very earliest years that I was aware that nature brings forth male, female and hermaphrodite.

Transgender
Which brings me to the transgender issue. There are many who struggle with issues surrounding their physical identity. 
Some experience gender dysphoria.
Gender dysphoria occurs when there is a persistent sense of mismatch between one's experienced gender and assigned gender. 
Gender dysphoria is defined by strong, persistent feelings of identification with the opposite gender and discomfort with one's own assigned gender that results in significant distress or impairment. 

Words of Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, gives us clear guidance as to how to treat others in all circumstances. 
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." [John 13:34-35].

If we follow Christ's command, we will be understanding and supportive towards others on their life path which may be different to our own.

Emotional and spiritual path
I witnessed the deeply painful emotional and spiritual path hermaphroditic peers walked with such dignity, those many years ago.
Their quiet example made me very aware that loving support from family and friends is essential for those struggling with physical attribute and identity issues.

Excellent support from family, school, friends, medical and psychological personnel can help those coming to peace within themselves as to their authentic identity.

Let us pray for them, and be as supportive as we can.
Each person's life faces particular challenges.
Let us prove a godly support to each person we meet, as they bloom into the full person God created them to be.