All in Identity
You will never have to it all together on this side of heaven. That statement either gives you anxiety or relief. I pray it’s the latter. I don’t say that to make you feel inferior or discouraged, but to help you find freedom. Freedom from the idea that perfection is the goal; from shame and condemnation each time you fall short.
How often do you take inventory of the things you’re worshipping? As a follower of Christ, you may not think you are worshipping any idols, but many of us do. It’s not because we don’t love God or want to worship Him with our whole heart. Often we do but…
I know how difficult it can be to navigate life in a society that glorifies dating and relationships and minimizes singleness. It’s taken me years to become content with my single status. I use to endure it, but now I enjoy it - and that’s only by the grace of God. If you’re struggling to enjoy being single, I want to help you. Here’s the secret that set me free: If you want to REALLY enjoy your single life, then you have to
This post goes out to anyone who finds father’s day hard to endure. Whether you never knew your father, he abandoned you, you have a rocky relationship, or he’s passed away - know that this day doesn’t have to be painful.
My dad passed away unexpectedly when I was in high school. It was one of the most traumatic experiences of my life and though I was blessed with a great father, I know the void that comes with not having one in your life.
The source of your hope determines your peace and stability. For 10 years I battled depression ( I was a Christian for four of those years), and for 3 years I struggled with anxiety. I know what it is to feel hopeless, to have your thoughts run rampant, and feel like you’ve lost all control. By the grace of God that is no longer my reality, but if it’s your reality then I want you to know there is hope. In my teens and early twenties I put my hope in two main things: my achievements and my relationship status. As long as I was excelling in school or at work and had a man by my side, I was happy. But when I found my self heart-broken, unemployed, and moving back home with $200 to my name…I spiraled. At the time I didn’t know how I got there, but hindsight is 20/20. I hit rock bottom;
It doesn’t matter what people say about you or to you, what matters is what you believe. A lie has no power unless people believe it, and a narrative grows in power when people repeat it. Everyday we are in a battle, one that starts in our minds and manifests through our words. Thousands of negative thoughts are planted in us by media, our loved ones, our spiritual adversary (the devil) and even our selves. Eventually we accept the lies that we aren’t worthy, loved, or good enough. We frequently profess what we can’t do, what will never happen, and what is impossible. Our beliefs shape our words, and our words define our actions. Our words also solidify what we believe.
I am my worst and toughest critic. I can easily give grace to other people, but I’m terrible at giving it to myself. I expect perfection, not from others, but from myself.
My perfectionist nature has led me down a dangerous spiritual path. Some time last year I realized I began to base my worth and righteousness on my good deeds. Every time I did something “for” God, I gave myself a pat on the back. Every time I fell short, I tore myself down. My inner voice often sounded like:
Rock bottom. I pray it's a place you never have to see. I pray that unlike me you heed to the warnings, and walk in the Light instead of in darkness. I pray you don't let the temptation get the best of you and take you down a road you never intended to travel. I once was so obsessed with having what I wanted, that I tuned God out altogether. I silenced His voice, and turned up my own. It didn't happen all at once. No, It was gradual, as most sin is. I trusted my feelings instead of the Truth.
A few months ago a friend of mine was commenting on how adventurous and confident I am. I laughed a bit and thought to myself, "How did I get here?". I started thinking about the old me, the version of myself that wasn't confident. The me who's battled so much pain and insecurity; Who felt like she didn't start living her life until she was 25. Let me tell you about her...
This past week I was feeling a bit down about myself and started to seek validation for though others. But (by God's grace) that attempt failed. I felt inferior and couldn't find anyone to make me feel otherwise. So I had two choices, I could wallow in self-pity and live by my emotions or I could validate myself. I chose to put my feelings aside and recall God's word. I spoke out truth and begin to love on myself.
Don't believe the lie. You know the one echoing inside your head, taunting you and whispering, "You're not good enough or smart enough". It says, " Because of your past you're not lovable". It encourages you to compare yourself to others so that you will think you're not beautiful, should be further along in life, and will always be alone.
Insecurities - we all have them. They are birthed out of a feelings of inferiority. For one reason or another we've bought a lie that some aspect of our self isn't good enough, causing us to think less of ourselves.
At times I'm very insecure about my shyness. I'm a bubbly, silly, always laughing way-too-much kind of girl, but that's not a side of my personality many people see.
Starvation can be defined as suffering severely from hunger.
We recognize physical hunger by physical symptoms such as a growling stomach or headache, and emotional signs such as anger and irritability. We can recognize spiritual hunger in the same way.
I was talking with a friend the other day at small group. We were discussing how our week was going and sharing our prayer requests. She began telling me that she needed prayer for discipline
