At the end of the sermon last Sunday (two weeks ago now), the visiting pastor commented on unrepentant sins/hindrances and such. Then he listed off a handful of them, such as additions. None of those are my struggles, but the area that the enemy does attack me in is my self-worth. I've spent years struggling with my personal self-worth. Professionally, my self-worth is just fine. I am confident as an employee. I know what I can and cannot do and what I am good at and what areas I could improve on. My personal life is a whole different ball game. One of which I have never really understood. Why am I confident in my professional life but not in my personal life?
The next few minutes are a blur in regards to who said what, between the pastor, hubby and myself. Basically, I realized that I had sinned against God by believing the lies of the enemy.
The next morning at work while priming parts in my priming booth, I was praying and asking God to forgive me for my sins. To forgive me for believing the lies of the enemy.
The Holy Spirit reminded me to renew my mind with scripture whenever the enemy tries to tell me that I am not worth it. I then found a Bible reading plan for this exact issue and started to listen to it while I primed parts.
I spent a chunk of time praying and asking for forgiveness. Then The Holy Spirit led me to my next podcast to listen to that morning. The topic, “The power of forgiveness (and why it's so hard)” the Holy Spirit then revealed to me that I needed to forgive myself as well. So I did.
I forgive myself for believing the lies of the enemy telling me that I am not worth it that I am beautiful or that I do not matter.
I share all this because a) that's what I love to do with my blog and b) because I'm sure I'm not the only one who struggles with self-worth.
I did not add in the written devotional blurbs that the Bible study came with because I was more interested in the Scripture references of God encouraging me in my worth. But this is the study if you are interested. In you You Version App. "Beautiful in God's Eyes: Who YOU Are in Him." From Compassion International.
Romans 12:2 NIV
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to rest and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Psalm 139:13-18 NIV
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I raise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand – when I awake, I am still with you.
1 Peter 1:18-19 NIV
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
According to my study Bible, the word redeemed means to rescue. Jesus saw the value given to me by the Father that He saved me from my sins and the old way of living.
1 Peter 2:9
But you were a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
1 Corinthians 6:20
You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his only and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
1 Thessalonians 5:23
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
John 16:33
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Genesis 16:13
She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her. “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.”
Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
God sees you, friend. He loves you. He chooses you. He died for you and because of Him, you are worthy. Stop sinning against God by believing the lies of the enemy. I say it like that because I didn't realize I was sinning against God by believing the lies of the enemy. It wasn't until the visiting pastor said it that it dawned on me that believing the enemy is a sin. Stand firm on the Word of God. Hide it in your heart for when the enemy attacks and tries to tell you whatever lie he thinks you will believe.
I pray this post blesses, encourages and teaches you, friend. I pray that you will be reminded of your God-given worth. Worth that He freely gave to you. Worth that you did not have to work for.
God Bless
~Hannah
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