Dear sisters,

The Lord is speaking deeply to my heart to day about the need for us to accept ourselves.

Some of the things we reject about ourselves are, in fact, part of God’s grand design for us and when we reject them it is like a slap in the face to Him.

For many years I had deep insecurities about many things, my height, my weight, my looks my body, my capabilities and competences and my intellect. I did not understand my worth and value. Much of this can be related back to childhood messages I received.

But when God was wanting me to step out in faith to live the creative life, there was such an internal struggle. I could not believe it. What was wrong with me and why did I find it so difficult to obey God as he was leading? Why did I find it so hard to trust His grand design for my life?

One of the things that has been difficult for me to understand is that I do not have to earn love. I am not loved more by producing more and more, working harder and harder. My worth is not rooted in how much money I can make. It is rooted and grounded in the love of God and His generous and loving care for me. I am His child and he loves me an everlasting love that I cannot lose.

Much of my life has been spent trying to please other people and never seeming to succeed. When I came to Christ I went straight to work ministering to people, attending every meeting and event, working harder than ever. I experienced burnout on three occasions. It was not pleasant and it took a while to recover.

Over time God began to reveal to me that he is not a withholder of love or of any good thing. He cares for me, guides me and has made abundant provision for me. He loves and accepts me as I am. I am enough. I do not have to perform or jump through hoops to please Him. I simply need to learn to be a good receiver of every good thing He gives and to accept His invitation to co-work with Him.

Dear Lord, help me walk with You in simple faith, trusting you to meet every need that I have and causing me to be blessing wherever I go. Help me to give an encouraging word to each person I meet today, in Jesus’ Name, Amen