“Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.”
Psalms 51:9-10 NLT
Today, I am writing to tell you that you are more than your mistakes. Have you ever felt that you were not enough? Not smart enough, strong enough, pretty enough: really the list could go on and on. The feelings of not feeling enough began at a young age for me. In middle and high school, there was a yearning within me to feel valued, loved, and seen. In order to feel those feelings, I turned to unhealthy friendships, ‘bad-boy’ boyfriends, and alcohol to fill the void.
This pattern of looking for earthly things to sustain me continued into my early 20s. As my unhealthy choices continued, shame began to build up inside of me. The enemy whispered over and over, “Because of your sins, no one will ever love you.” The enemy wants us to focus on shame. Shame places our identity in our faults, rather than in our strengths and who God says we are.
To be completely honest, I did not know what real love was supposed to look or feel like. It wasn’t until I met Jesus for the second time at age 31, that I discovered who real love is! “But you, my Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy; you are very patient and full of faithful love.” (Psalm 86:15) Isaiah 43:1b also states, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name. You are mine.”
Truths to Remember
- You are God’s beloved son or daughter. That is your true identity.
- You are not what you have done. You are more than the choices you have made.
- God has redeemed you as far as the east is from the west.
- Walk in the truth that God loves you and He is well pleased with you. (Matthew 17:5)
Author Bob Goff discusses in his book, “Love Does,” how God will speak something meaningful into our lives to fill us up so we can view ourselves as God’s beloved son or daughter. (p.87) For me, I hear His voice during my “be still” time when He confirms His plans for my life. When do you hear God speaking to you? Our Heavenly Father is always available and longs for us to spend time with Him. When you accept Jesus into your life you are a new creation. He will create a clean heart within us along with a loyal spirit. (Psalms 51:10)