A sweet reminder

"You're a terrible homemaker. Look at this house!"
"Who gave you children? You're not fit to raise the girls. "
"You don't know how to be a friend!"
"You are unloved, and you are not good at loving others."
"You'll never be able to overcome (selfishness, stubbornness, laziness, food, ....etc)"
"You haven't changed at all in the last few years - you won't change."
"There's nothing that you are good at."
"The only reason you follow Jesus is so you can be lazy and stay home...you're not really a Christian."

These are the kinds of words that I have heard in the past few months - some said to me, some echoing in my mind as thoughts from the enemy of my soul. Some over and over again, others with a contempt so fierce that hearing it once was enough to etch it deep into my heart.

Since my Lord is not ever in the business of discouragement (gentle & firm correction and strong convictions, yes! discouragement & belittlement, no!) - I can step objectively outside these accusations and tell you from where they come. But it doesn't mean that the words don't cut like a double-edged sword. That's why it's so crucial to spend lots of time reading and rereading the Word of God (which is sharper than a double-edged sword! [Heb 4:12]), to pour truth in on top of the lies.

I got to spend a good amount of time in prayer this morning (which doesn't happen as much as I'd like), pouring out my aching heart before the Lord...and then just listening. "Remind me today, Lord, that I'm precious to You!" and the reply came softly, in the stillness:

'I have a pretty amazing imagination, my child;
and I created you. YOU.
The shape of your face, the color of your eyes,
the fullness & craziness of your hair,
everything. Just so.
Your build, your talents, your grandest dreams -
I put them all together in a way that delights Me.
You
are made in My image,
and You are my daughter...
You are treasured by me.
I knew your name before your parents did.
Don't you remember what it means?
"of noble birth"
You are a daughter of the King!!
I chose you to be Mine
long before you chose Me!
Even when you feel unloved by man,
it doesn't change the truth that
I love you
and I will care for you
just like I always have.
Cast your cares upon Me -
follow Me, my dear,
and let Me do the rest.'

So, friend, if you need the same encouragement this morning -
You, too, are loved by the One who created you. just so.
And I am praying hard for your heart this morning, that you'll cover the lies
in the Truth of God's Word.


Created & dearly loved,
for His glory!
~Lisha

(See Psalm 139, Jeremiah 1:5, 1 Peter 5:7, 1 John 4:19, Jeremiah 29:11, Psalm 45:10-11, and Ephesians 2:10 to read His truth for yourself!)


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