Now I Can See

I had an interesting conversation with a friend, she was telling me of some drama that had been going on in her life. She told me about a friend that had provided service to an individual and he was just dismissed by this person publicly without thought or regard and she expressed how this person was so distraught and hurt. And after that conversation I received an email from a friend saying how she had some family issues that she felt as though she was going through it alone, neglected, and not loved and how it was taking so much for her to get through it. I could so relate to all the feelings of rejection, loneliness, and abandonment. These conversations caused me to think, deeply.

Everyone wants to feel accepted and valued. We can pretend that we don't need or want validation from anyone. But on some level we all do. And it's perfectly normal if you do. It's natural to want to be a part of something or to know that we are loved. God created us this way. So when we are not valued, accepted, or made to feel as though we are loved we tend to make decisions and choices in life that sends us on a destructive path. We lose focus of what we are called and purpose to be and we began to seek validation instead of seeking purpose.

I know this to be true because I have been there. Yes, I allowed my desire to be valued make me a victim; a victim to toxic relationships, situations and thoughts. Thoughts that I wasn't good enough, smart enough, eloquent enough...which in turn created insecurities about my God given talents and gifts. And whenever I came in contact with someone who criticized or manipulated me for their own selfish gain, it would do nothing but send me into a place of depression and self-loathing and that's when the feelings of inadequacy would come in and I would lose my focus. It was a vicious cycle that I repeated for a long time.

But today I can say that after a lot of God searching, praying, and being honest about myself and those close to me, I can see real clear now! The more I allowed myself to get caught up in this destructive cycle the more I was hindering my growth! I had to first realize and know my worth and know that I matter. If I cannot value myself, how can I expect anyone else to value me! And then I had to realize that my validation does not need to come from man but God. I accepted the gifts He blessed me with - the gift to create, inspire and encourage. That's what truly matters, the calling and purpose on my life. Nothing else matters! And the most important lesson of all is that I could no longer give anyone that kind of power over my life.

So today, I want to encourage you to see yourself as God sees you! He values you and the contributions that you have made in this life - you are important and you matter to Him!

You are special and unique and He knows the greatness and purpose in each of you, why? Because He created you and He created you with a divine destiny. So cast down those fears, insecurities, and negative thoughts about yourself and rise up and be the victory that He created you to be. YOU HAVE DESTINY TO FULFILL!

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For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11

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