'...You are precious to me...' Isaiah 43:4
If you are struggling with feelings of unworthiness, praying longer, working harder and vowing to do better won't necessarily change how you feel. Like remodelling an old house with a cracked foundation, you can redecorate every room but the floors and ceilings will just keep sagging until eventually it collapses. You've got to address the foundation! To do that, you must begin seeing yourself as God sees you; only then will you experience the stability and security you seek. Have you any idea how God feels about you? He sees you as:
1) Loveable. '...You are precious to me. You are honoured, and I love you. Do not be afraid, for I am with you...' (vv.4-5). What assurance! The Bible says, '...The one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders' (Deuteronomy 33:12 NIV). What a secure position to be in!
2) Valuable. If you grew up feeling unwanted, you got the wrong message. God established your worth at the cross. '...The Son of God, who loved [you], and gave himself for [you]' (Galatians 2:20 NIV). The slogan on Hallmark cards says, 'When you care enough to send the very best.' That's what God did for you at the cross.
3) Capable. Without a supportive environment to grow up in, you can end up with a diminished sense of ability. It's why we compensate by overachieving. But God knows that you are capable because He's '...given...you...special abilities...' (1 Peter 4:10 TLB). Furthermore, He has '...set [you] down in...company with Jesus...' (Ephesians 2:6 TM). So stay in your seat and don't let anybody tell you that your life doesn't matter. It does, because God says so!
Used with permission from UCB Word for Today. Free issues are available here for the UK and Republic of Ireland.
Comments