Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

(1 Peter 5:8-9 NKJV)

I’m a burden to everyone. I never do anything right. I mess up everything I do. These thoughts belong to a woman who feels worthless, unacceptable, and possibly unloved. If that woman, is you today, I want to wrap my arm around you and tell you that you’re not alone. I’ve experienced those same feelings as negative thoughts populated my mind.

In Christ, you are of great value. He died for you while you were still a sinner. His thoughts toward you are more numerous than the sand (Ps. 139:17-18).

Jesus believes you were worth dying for.

He knows your every thought and every word before you utter it. He has vast knowledge of all of your mannerisms (Ps. 139:3). God knows all things (omniscience).

Adam and Eve tried to hide from God, but He knew their precise location before He called out to Adam. Jonah thought he could hide from God in the belly of a great fish, but God found Jonah.

God is also omnipresent, meaning He is everywhere at all times. You are never alone. He will never leave you (Heb. 13:5). He hedges you behind and before (Ps. 139:5).

Why must we firmly grasp the truth that God loves us so much that Christ died for us? We also must know that He values us enough to intimately know us.

Sweet friend, you have an enemy who loves to wreak havoc in your mind. A woman’s mind is Satan’s favorite battleground. When he sows seeds of low self-worth, we begin to doubt ourselves. We begin our sentences with “I can’t,” and “I’m not.” We stop trying because what is the use? We withdraw so we won’t burden anyone. Isolation only fertilizes the low self-esteem.

After self-doubt takes root, we begin doubting God. God can’t love me because He wouldn’t allow this to happen. My earthly father never loved me, so why would God?

Now, you need to reveal, remove and replace. Ask God to reveal your negative thoughts each time one arises. Next, remove those thoughts. Refuse to grant them residence in the recesses of your mind. Then replace each negative thought with a positive truth from God’s Word. Write it down. Speak it over yourself and memorize it.

God loves you and regards you in high esteem. As you read Scripture, make it personal, and select your favorite verses that remind you of God’s love.

Heavenly Father, thank You for showing me Your great love. You also tell me how much I matter in Your Word. Reveal the negative thoughts so I can remove them. Show me Your truth I can replace them with. Amen.

DIG DEEPER

Read Psalm 139:1-18.

 

HIKING THE TRAIL

Don’t skip the steps: reveal, remove, and replace. Many times, we read something encouraging, but we fail to apply it to our lives. Add this to your prayer and study time.

RELATED RESOURCE

Are you tired of feeling rejected and discouraged? Do you want to tell worry and fear to take a hike? Negative thoughts lead to emotional bondage, but those chains are about to be broken. Imagine a life where you are free from the slavery of Satan, and you can walk confidently into the unknown. Sound impossible? Learn more here.

 

Originally posted on July 16, 2021 @ 3:00 am