Before letting worry, frustration, self-pity, or anger take over you’re how you’re dealing with difficult people and circumstances, stop and take a deep breath. Take another. Let your shoulders relax. Close your eyes and focus on one thought: you are entirely loved by God.
Without condition, without performing for it, you are completely loved. Despite the terrible thoughts you had, the last awful thing you said, or failing at the same thing again, you are wholly loved. Regardless of being rejected, ignored, lied about, and lied to by almost everyone else, you are loved by God. In the depth of your pain, where it seems impossible to know anything else, know you are truly loved.
“I have loved you with an everlasting love. I have been drawing you to me with unfailing love and kindness” (Jer. 31:3).
“As the Father has loved me, so I love you. Keep choosing to stay in my love” (John 15:9).
“Be strong and courageous . . . the Lord is with you, and will never abandon you. Don’t let fear and discouragement take over your heart and mind” (Deut. 31:7a, 8 ).
If you’ve had a hard time hearing him say how much he loves you, it may be because you’ve been listening as who you used to be—a wounded person, prone to insecurity and over-analyzing. Leave that person behind. God is loving you into who you’re becoming in him—a peaceful, joyful, confident, and powerful son or daughter. The enemy is intimidated by who you are now in Christ, but terrified of what you may yet become in him.
Stay intentionally aware of his presence, and of his love. Instead of letting yourself get pulled into someone else’s stress, or your old negative thinking, listen for God’s voice in every situation, and deal with the rest of your day from there. Go wherever he goes, and do whatever he’s doing: Bless. Help. Heal. Build. Encourage. Laugh. Love.
Equip Your Spirit 