It continues to amaze me how God gives me what I need right when I need it.
Due to unexpected circumstances and some actions of others, I allowed myself to slide down the slippery slope of hurt feelings yesterday. Lingering on that slope for a moment too long caused me to struggle most of the afternoon. Before long, feelings of rejection, discouragement, and being unloved surfaced. I found myself nearly in a pit of despair.
The enemy of my soul whispered such words in my ear: “You don’t have what it takes.” “It’s no wonder you were forgotten. Look at you.” “You will never measure up.” The words caught me off-guard. I wasn’t ready for them. And, for a split-second, I listened to his lies.
It’s a good thing, however, I knew enough not to believe those whispers.
Friend, what do you do when the enemy whispers such words in your ear? I know I can’t be the only one he does this to. The words might be different, but their just as destructive. How do you resist his lies? Is there something you do to combat his attempts to intimidate you?
I immediately put down what I was doing and grabbed my Bible Study Fellowship lesson for the week. I began to read and listen as I answered the next set of questions in my lesson. Wouldn’t you know, the words of Romans 8:38-39 were in front of me.
I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us. Romans 8:38-39 MSG
One of the questions on my lesson asked me to list the things in my life or world events that tempt me to worry or prompt anger or impatience. I began to list words I found in that moment. Rejection and feeling unloved was at the top of that list. Then it asked me to use my list to rewrite verses 38-39 as my own statement of confidence in God’s love for me.
I’m absolutely convinced that nothing–experiences or people, rejection or unloving actions, the past or the future, uncertainty or evil, words or behaviors–absolutely nothing can get between me and God’s love because of the way that Jesus my Master has embraced me. Romans 8:38-39 rewritten in my words
There’s life in God’s Word.
Can I just tell you how empowering and encouraging that simple act was? I continued to recite my sentence over and over, and as I did, I was reminded of how great God’s amazing love is for me. Nothing else matters. Not the actions of others. Not my feelings. Nothing. Nothing else is as important as God’s love through Jesus Christ.
Friend, the next time the enemy of your soul whispers words of untruth in your ear, try writing out Romans 8:38-39 in your own words of struggle or uncertainty. See how quickly your heart is encouraged and uplifted.
I closed my Bible, thanked God for His encouraging truth, and poured myself another cup of coffee, Those thoughts left and have not returned.
There’s no encouragement like the encouragement we find in God’s Word!
I pray you are encouraged by Him today!
Blessings,
Julie
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I think we all fall into this trap at one time or anothe.
Oh, that old devil knows I’m a prime target because I tend to sink in his muck! My heart begins to believe that God thinks those same ugly words about me even though my brain knows that’s not true. It’s a battle I continue to fight and I’ve even started saying out loud (when no one else is around) “devil, in the name of Jesus, get out of my mind!” As always, you seem to know and write just what I need to hear, Julie! Thanks for sharing your hurt and I’m glad God helped you get through it!
Julie
Thank you for sharing the most promising understanding that God will always be part of our life.Blessing