It’s fall semester of sophomore year of high school, and it’s lunchtime (anyone cringing already thinking back to the awkwardness of those early high school years?).
I was sitting in a circle with the other girls on flag line (it really was a coveted group to be a part of at our school! haha). Each day, I’d sit there for the entire lunch hour, and the majority of the time, would say nothing. That’s right. Not one word. (God bless those girls for welcoming me to sit there in silence with them like that.)
You guys, even in a group that I spent so much time with and ‘belonged’ to, I felt deeply unworthy.
I truly believed that every other girl had it together but me.
I felt that I had nothing to share or contribute to the conversation and that sitting in silence was the best choice.
So often in life, we look to others’ highlight reels. We see and hear about what’s going well. And oftentimes, that can feel incredibly isolating.
Being in that space, choosing the lie of unworthiness, can lead us to silencing our gifts, passions, and dreams.
Why do it if she already is?
Why start if I can't do it perfectly?
Ever feel like you're focused on what's 'not good enough' instead of celebrating what * is * working?
Listen up- Jesus is perfect so you don't have to be.
He was absolutely perfect, yet there were (and still are!) people who don't like Him.
Maybe you are so focused on what everyone else is doing & thinking, or how you are falling short, that you're allowing the Lord and His plan for you to fall silent.
How often are you silencing yourself to meet other people’s expectations?
We can completely exhaust ourselves living up to other people’s standards, can’t we?
We don’t see the whole story behind the curtain, but regularly & oftentimes unconsciously compare our entire lives to a tiny fraction of theirs.
Don’t miss out on the fullness that God has to offer because you are so consumed with your inadequacies.
I promise, not one person has it all together. We are all trying our best and only have hope through Christ.
So - how did things finally change for me, and how might they change for you, too?
3 Ways to Create Confidence through Christ
1) Focus on who HE says you are.
“You have been set apart as holy to the Lord your God, and he has chosen you from all the nations of the earth to be his own special treasure.” (Deuteronomy 14:2 NLT)
“God loves you and has chosen you as his own special people. So be gentle, kind, humble, meek, and patient.” (Colossians 3:12 CEV)
Yes, sweet sister. You are loved, cherished, and chosen.
2) Rely on Him to fill in the gaps.
And get this… His power is made perfect in our weakness.
“But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV)
“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” (Deuteronomy 31:8 ESV)
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9 ESV)
Whenever I feel stressed, I begin to recognize that I’m trying to operate out of my own power and not His. I can only play big (and succeed) through Him.
God given dreams must be accomplished through His supernatural power and not your own.
You were never meant to do it alone.
3) Know that you have an audience of one to please.
As Michelle Myers, founder of She Works His Way says, we have an audience of one.
Jesus is the one who's opinion matter.s.
Doesn’t that greatly simplify things, you guys?
I pray that you are encouraged and uplifted by recentering your eyes on God and His truths-
the only ones that matter for eternity.
You are deeply loved and made whole through Him.
Know someone who needs this message? Send this post to her now, along with prayer that you and she might grow closer in Christ, together.
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Joyfully in Him,
Alexandra
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