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Long ago the Lord said to Israel: “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself. Jeremiah 31:3 (NLT)
The two areas that Satan attacks the most in our walk is our faith in God and our faith in ourselves. He knows that these two areas of our lives will dictate how we address everything else in our lives.
If we are confident in who we are and comfortable with ourselves then the attacks other people place on us will fall harmless by our side. If, on the other hand we see ourselves as weak and worthless people even the smallest ‘stones of attack’ will pierce our armor.
What it really boils down to is this question, a question we must ask ourselves every day as we get up and get ready for the tasks ahead: “Who do you see in the mirror?”
We all want to succeed in whatever endeavor we pursue. We want to be respected. We want to be liked. We may not need to be filthy rich, but it would be nice to at least have enough money in the bank account to buy food, make the house payment and own a car that can be counted on to get you from point A to point B with the least amount of turmoil. All these things influence how we feel about ourselves if we listen to the enemy instead of listening to the truth of what God says about us.
Here’s the lie that Satan wants you to believe. When things get tough. When you fail to conquer that temptation…again; when you fall to the seduction of lust; when you miss another house payment; when you explode in a flurry of words at your wife, your boss or your kids, he gently and quietly whispers in your ear.
“You did it again didn’t you. You can’t beat this. You are worthless. You will never amount to anything, you realize that don’t you? Then, here’s where he really gets you. He quotes scripture. He’s not above that you know. He did it with Eve. He did it with Jesus Christ himself! And he never uses it in context. He quotes just what he things you need to hear.
“Even the bible says your worthless. Remember Isaiah 64:6? God says you are nothing but filthy rags. Worthless. Smelly. Of no value at all. That’s you.”
Then, he leaves and you get to pick up the pieces. Wounded. Doubting your abilities. Ashamed. Embarrassed. You resolve to be done. You won’t try anymore. The pain of failure is too great.
Until we have a firm grasp of who we are we can never fully access the power of grace. Think of grace as a verb, not a noun. Grace is God’s unending, passionate love for you 24/7. Read Ephesians 2:1-10. Read it carefully. See the promise. You WERE dead, but now you are ALIVE. Your life isn’t based on your actions. Your life if based on Jesus Christ and his work on the cross. God’s view of you is based on Jesus’ actions, not yours. Jeremiah 31:3 tells us we are loved with an everlasting love. Romans 8 tells us that NOTHING can separate us from that love.
Here is the truth Statement we need to base the view from the mirror on: We are loved unconditionally. Period. The Creator God of the universe loves you. He’s more concerned about your future than your past or present. He’s willing to take a chance on you. In his eyes not only ‘will you amount to something’, you already are something.
PRAYER: Father I’m tired of listening to Satan’s lies about myself. I’m tired of the feeling of dread I get every day I climb out of bed. I’m tired of feeling like a failure to you and those around me. Empower me with your Spirit to see myself as you do, through the lens of Jesus Christ. In his name I pray, Amen.