You think you are unworthy of love. You look in the mirror and loathe everything you see. You're picking yourself completely apart and missing the point entirely. You are beautiful just the way God made you. He didn't make a mistake.
You feel uncomfortable in your body because someone abused you. Someone else took advantage of your youth, vulnerability, and naivete. The shame does not belong to you. It never did. Put it down and do not pick it back up again. You are worthy of love. You are loved by the perfect God who created you, knit you together in your mother's womb, and cares for you each day of your life.
“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea."
+Matthew 18:6 (NIV)
Pray with me.
Dear Jesus, It's hard for me to see myself as You do. It's easier for me to open a magazine, turn on the television, or look at models online and compare myself to them. I often feel discouraged because I find so many flaws within myself. On top of all that, I feel uncomfortable in this body that someone else abused. Sometimes I feel ashamed and want to run away, but I can never get away from myself. Wherever I go, there I am. I thank You, Jesus, that You are always where I am. You give me comfort and You heal me in unexpected ways. Today I ask You to show Your unending love for me and help me to see myself as You see me. I'm scared to take this leap, but I know You are with me, giving me the necessary things to succeed. It's in Your Holy name I pray, Jesus. Amen.
Author, Mandy, age 40.
Stay tuned for another episode. See you next time! And remember, if you or a loved one is in danger, get help immediately, and don't stop talking until someone acts on your words.
National Domestic Abuse Hotline: 800-799-7233 Hours: 24/7. Languages: English, Spanish, and 200+ through interpretation service. SMS: Text START to 88788
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 Hours: Available 24 hours. https://www.rainn.org/
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Hours: Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish. https://988lifeline.org/
You fear the world, don’t you? You think everyone and everything is out to get you. That is a lie that is cemented in your head, and it will not leave you until you decide to look up. No, not at the sky – at Jesus. It is hard to look up, isn’t it? It requires bravery.
There is so much that you are allowing to hold you back. You feel out of control, but you have more control over your life than you think you do. I challenge you today to be brave and to look upwards to the sky. Soak it all in – the colors, the vastness of it, the way you feel small and insignificant. Sit with all of it for a few moments, and then I want you to consider an unfamiliar perspective – you are deeply, passionately, unconditionally loved by Jesus Christ.
Listen, daughter, and pay careful attention:
Forget your people and your father’s house.
Let the king be enthralled by your beauty;
honor him, for he is your lord.
+Psalm 45:10,11 (NIV)
The LORD (Yahweh) is calling you to Himself. He desires to heal you and offer you a new life. Will you listen to Him? Will you let Him in and allow Him to love you? Pray with me.
Heavenly Father, I am scared to heal. Painful chaos is my normal. Love and kindness feel strange to me, and I am not sure if I can trust those around me who say that they love me. I am having trouble taking You at Your Word, but I am at the end of my rope. This pain is too great, Lord. Please take it from me and lead me gently into healing. I am scared, but I know that You only want the best for me. Give me Your faith so that I can trust You more and lean into Your healing and Your love. In Jesus’s Name. Amen.
Stay tuned for another episode. See you next time! And remember, if you or a loved one is in danger, get help immediately, and don't stop talking until someone acts on your words.
National Domestic Abuse Hotline: 800-799-7233 Hours: 24/7. Languages: English, Spanish, and 200+ through interpretation service. SMS: Text START to 88788
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 Hours: Available 24 hours. https://www.rainn.org/
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Hours: Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish. https://988lifeline.org/
