“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139:14a) Fat! Ugly! Not enough! Worthless! I slammed the mirror onto the countertop. Who could love someone like me? Tears welled up and spilled over onto my cheeks. Uncontrollable crying was my pitiful comfort. From my adolescent years to just about a year ago, these lies plagued me. Other people’s opinions formed my self-judgments. Comparison of my faults with their successes further ingrained these lies. Satan proudly began to laugh as he patted himself on the back for his success. Another woman discouraged … decimated. One less servant focused …
Trust the Master
“Then Job replied to the Lord: ‘I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.” (Job 42:1-3) Anxiety rises as fear threatens to destroy our hope. We become afraid of an objectionable outcome. We want what we want … without problems … and we want it now. We pray, but fear of the undesirable causes a cold paralysis of our faith and seizes our prayers. Can we …
Be Thankful in All Things
“Thank you for this day, for my food, for my family… “ Isn’t this the standard “thank you, God” list? This is the easy list. The things we are grateful for because we understand why we have them and we like that we do. “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (I Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV) When was the last time you prayed a thank you prayer for your broken leg, your car wreck, your husband’s job loss, or the political chaos? Now this is the ridiculously hard …
Connect with God
Connection is a warm word. It draws us together. It says we belong. It is relationship with love as the glue. We need connection. So does God. He Loved First Genesis 1 tells of the world that God created. He created people in His image. Then He loved us first, despite our sins (I John 4:19). While we were yet sinners (Romans 5:8), He gave His only Son as a blood sacrifice to pardon our sins and allow us entrance into heaven (John 3:16). Now, He is in heaven preparing a place for us to live forever (John 14:2). …
Dear Younger Me
“If I knew then what I know now…” These wishful words are usually spoken in regret of something we should have done differently. However, we aren’t born with instant knowledge and wisdom. There are those rare people who will heed the advice of someone who has already been down the road. But most of us are experiential learners. We read about someone’s problem and their solution, all the while believing we will obtain different results. Usually, we experience the same failures and pain. We must attend the school of life where experience is the greatest teacher. Looking Forward—No Regrets Mercy …