Post Valentine's Day
People. They're everywhere. So many of them. Everywhere you turn.
People. They have many strange abilities. They can build. They can destroy. They can laugh. They can cry. They can make nightmares. They can make dreams.
People. They can tear each other apart. They can make new life. They can love. They can hate. They can argue. They can complain. They can make you lose yourself.
People. So many people. So many powerful people.
In one time or another, we all lose ourselves. Maybe it's in a relationship, friendship, job, school.... whatever! There's always one point in life where something about ourselves comes into question.
And the list could go on and on. Do those questions sound familiar to you?
Valentine's Day just passed, and it was a really rough day for me. I went to work and saw all these happy people. Couples that seemed so perfect and joyful. The girl inside me said, "I want that so badly! Why can't I have it? God, what's wrong with me? Am I not charming? Am I pretty? God, they all have someone. Am I just not good enough?!" Questions like that ran through my mind all day long as I worked, did my schoolwork, and babysat. Even when I went outside where I usually think best! My head was spinning. I couldn't shake these overwhelming thoughts. Eventually, I just gave up trying and got on with my night.
At one point, though, I remembered that I had picked up a special book from the library. You've probably already seen me gushing about it on social meadia. :) It's called The Chase, and it's written by one of my favorite singers--Kyle Kupecky-- and his wife Kelsey. One of the things that they stress in it is how important we are to God and how much He loves us. We sin so much, yet He still thinks we're treasures. We're His, and nothing can change that. If we chase Him first, our lives will be happier (not perfect, but happier) because we look to Him for everything--our peace, our hope, and even our identity.
After reading that, I felt like I was on a "spiritual high". I wanted to read my Bible and find out what God says about me. Then an hour or so passed, and I was feeling depressed again. Like I wasn't good enough.
So I went to the Bible... which for me isn't typical. I read like my life depended on it. I needed to find out what God really thought about me.
Since I didn't have any paper with me, I took my pen and wrote on my arm:
Because God's children are all those things to Him!
The words are still there on my arm, and they will wash off. Maybe I'll write them again, but maybe not. Regardless, unless I remember the Bible, they're simply just words! So....
I'm important because Christ is important, and He lives in me. He is invested in my future because He loves me. I am loved with an eternal love. Everlasting to everlasting, this love will never fail me when the love of others might. I am a precious treasure. I'm His child. I am valuable, but not because I'm good enough. I'm valuable because He's good enough, and He loves inside me. I'm beautiful because He has made me beautiful on the inside, no matter what I think of the exterior. I shouldn't stress about being the most beautiful or try to change so much about myself just to fit in. (NOTE: I'm not saying you shouldn't want to be pretty on the outside. I'm simply saying don't be obsessed with your hair, your face, your body type, etc. in order to fit in or something like that. Realize that true beauty comes from inside because that's the beauty that really counts.)
See, when you remember God and find your identity in Him, you become a happier person because you realize that there is Someone who will always care and be there for you. He'll always listen. He'll always think of His children as precious and peculiar treasures. That being said, from time to time you might have those "am I good enough?" moments because the devil tries to shake our confidence in Christ. In those moments that you stumble, pray. Look to Him. Go back to your Bible and discover what He really says. Just because you stumbled in that moment doesn't mean He's done with you! He loves His children even then and stands by their sides. He picks them up and helps them back to the right path. How encouraging is that?!
Now, I can't finish this post until I say one other important thing: Valentine's Day is often seen as a day just for couples, but that's not entirely it! It's a day to realize and celebrate God's love for us--even though we should be doing that every day. It's also a day to realize the other blessings God has given us because of His love. Maybe it IS a significant other, but maybe it's just a friend or sibling. Someone you love dearly. Maybe it's someone you've met online but never met in person. Maybe it's the people you grew up with. Whoever it is, remember to take the time to pray for them, thank them for being there for you, and love them with a Godly love for all time. Yeah, maybe sometimes they will cause your insecurities to come around again. After all... they're PEOPLE! But remember: God first. Chase Him first, and bring Him (and His love!) into any and all relationships you enter.
Chase Him. Love a lot. Be happy. :)
People. They have many strange abilities. They can build. They can destroy. They can laugh. They can cry. They can make nightmares. They can make dreams.
People. They can tear each other apart. They can make new life. They can love. They can hate. They can argue. They can complain. They can make you lose yourself.
People. So many people. So many powerful people.
In one time or another, we all lose ourselves. Maybe it's in a relationship, friendship, job, school.... whatever! There's always one point in life where something about ourselves comes into question.
Am I good enough?
Am I pretty/handsome enough?
Am I important?
Am I valuable?
Am I loved?
Am I necessary?
Valentine's Day just passed, and it was a really rough day for me. I went to work and saw all these happy people. Couples that seemed so perfect and joyful. The girl inside me said, "I want that so badly! Why can't I have it? God, what's wrong with me? Am I not charming? Am I pretty? God, they all have someone. Am I just not good enough?!" Questions like that ran through my mind all day long as I worked, did my schoolwork, and babysat. Even when I went outside where I usually think best! My head was spinning. I couldn't shake these overwhelming thoughts. Eventually, I just gave up trying and got on with my night.
At one point, though, I remembered that I had picked up a special book from the library. You've probably already seen me gushing about it on social meadia. :) It's called The Chase, and it's written by one of my favorite singers--Kyle Kupecky-- and his wife Kelsey. One of the things that they stress in it is how important we are to God and how much He loves us. We sin so much, yet He still thinks we're treasures. We're His, and nothing can change that. If we chase Him first, our lives will be happier (not perfect, but happier) because we look to Him for everything--our peace, our hope, and even our identity.After reading that, I felt like I was on a "spiritual high". I wanted to read my Bible and find out what God says about me. Then an hour or so passed, and I was feeling depressed again. Like I wasn't good enough.
So I went to the Bible... which for me isn't typical. I read like my life depended on it. I needed to find out what God really thought about me.
Since I didn't have any paper with me, I took my pen and wrote on my arm:
Important
Treasure
Priority
Loved
Valuable
*His*
Because God's children are all those things to Him!
The words are still there on my arm, and they will wash off. Maybe I'll write them again, but maybe not. Regardless, unless I remember the Bible, they're simply just words! So....
I'm important because Christ is important, and He lives in me. He is invested in my future because He loves me. I am loved with an eternal love. Everlasting to everlasting, this love will never fail me when the love of others might. I am a precious treasure. I'm His child. I am valuable, but not because I'm good enough. I'm valuable because He's good enough, and He loves inside me. I'm beautiful because He has made me beautiful on the inside, no matter what I think of the exterior. I shouldn't stress about being the most beautiful or try to change so much about myself just to fit in. (NOTE: I'm not saying you shouldn't want to be pretty on the outside. I'm simply saying don't be obsessed with your hair, your face, your body type, etc. in order to fit in or something like that. Realize that true beauty comes from inside because that's the beauty that really counts.)
See, when you remember God and find your identity in Him, you become a happier person because you realize that there is Someone who will always care and be there for you. He'll always listen. He'll always think of His children as precious and peculiar treasures. That being said, from time to time you might have those "am I good enough?" moments because the devil tries to shake our confidence in Christ. In those moments that you stumble, pray. Look to Him. Go back to your Bible and discover what He really says. Just because you stumbled in that moment doesn't mean He's done with you! He loves His children even then and stands by their sides. He picks them up and helps them back to the right path. How encouraging is that?!Now, I can't finish this post until I say one other important thing: Valentine's Day is often seen as a day just for couples, but that's not entirely it! It's a day to realize and celebrate God's love for us--even though we should be doing that every day. It's also a day to realize the other blessings God has given us because of His love. Maybe it IS a significant other, but maybe it's just a friend or sibling. Someone you love dearly. Maybe it's someone you've met online but never met in person. Maybe it's the people you grew up with. Whoever it is, remember to take the time to pray for them, thank them for being there for you, and love them with a Godly love for all time. Yeah, maybe sometimes they will cause your insecurities to come around again. After all... they're PEOPLE! But remember: God first. Chase Him first, and bring Him (and His love!) into any and all relationships you enter.
Chase Him. Love a lot. Be happy. :)
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