Whether you're going through a divorce, argument with a friend, death of a loved one, or you're just having a bad day, I would imagine that you're feeling frustrated. Frustrated that things aren't going how you wish that they would, frustrated with the loneliness that you feel, and overall frustrated with God. Why is it that, when we need Him most, He seems so far away? When life gets hectic and it seems you can't hear His voice over all the craziness surrounding you, here are 5 things God wants you to know:
1. YOU ARE STRONG
1 John 4:4 "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the World"
Because God is in you and you are his child, you can dance through any storm that comes your way. YOU ARE STRONG BECAUSE HE IS STRONG, how awesome is that?!
2. YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL
Psalm 139:13-14 "You alone created my inner being. You knitted me together inside my mother. I will give thanks to You because I have been so amazingly and miraculously made. Your works are miraculous, and my soul is fully aware of this."
Living in a culture that is filled with impossible and unrealistic standards, it is sooooo easy to believe the lies that the media tries to tell us about what is beautiful. This negativity affects both men and women. If a girl doesn't have a 'thigh gap' or a 'flat stomach' or if a boy doesn't lift to have big arms or a six pack, they can feel insecure and lose self confidence because of this inaccurate media portrayal of beauty. TRUTH IS, WE ARE ALL MADE IN GOD'S IMAGE. His word tells us that He knitted us together inside our mothers and we are amazingly and miraculously made. No matter what the world says, we are all uniquely beautiful in our own special way.
3. YOU ARE FORGIVEN
2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone, the new has come"
This is one of my favorite bible verses ever. If we believe in Christ and repent of our signs, we are a NEW CREATION. Everyone is guilty of falling off path that we as Christians are to take. But, despite the sins we have committed or the mistakes we have made, we can be forgiven and made new through Him.
4. GOD HAS A PLAN
Proverbs 19:21 "Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevail"
We each have so many goals and expectations in life: what we think we will achieve, who we think we will spend our life with, and what we think our purpose is. The problem with this is, all of those include the words "what/who we think" instead of "what/who God says". As followers of Christ, we need to place each of our goals and expectations into His hands and listen to what God says. His word says that His plans always prevail, not our own. He has a plan and purpose for every single person He created. The question is, are we going to let go and let God?
5. YOU ARE LOVED
1 John 3:1 "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God? And that is what we are!"
God loves you. He loves you with the most unconditional and overwhelming love that we as humans cannot even come close to comprehending.God gave his one and only son so that we can be forgiven of our sins and spend forever in Heaven with Him. We are so loved by God, and nothing can take that away.
No matter what obstacle you face, you need to know that you are strong, you are beautiful, you are forgiven, God has a plan, and you are loved. Even though He seems far away, He is always right there, just waiting for you to lean on Him.
