Good, Good Father
A while back I attended an online conference, we sang Chris Tomlin’s Good, Good Father. I had never heard the song before. I liked it. It seemed a good way to start. By the end, it was personal.
You see … I have always struggled with who I am. My name means worthy of love, but I never believed it. While I could list a long list of many good things about myself, when I looked in the mirror I saw a fat little girl that no one could possibly love.
Oh yes, my family might love me, they are required to. But outside of that, I was unworthy. Most of what I did was to try to earn the love of others. Even the use of my talents was really just a way to get people to like me. Anything from making a batch of cookies to singing a song. Maybe they could let me stick around if I did these things.
Making Changes
Finally, as an adult, I managed to lose weight…. enough that men would actually take a second look at me. Long enough to see me and the good qualities that God had instilled in me. But I still saw that fat little girl in the mirror. My mind still believed Satan’s lies that I was unworthy.
I could meet you today. But if I saw you on the street tomorrow, I never spoke first. You see, Satan convinced me of the lie that I was so unworthy and so unlovable that even if you remember meeting me, you definitely would not care to build a relationship with me. You really wouldn’t have any desire to ever see or hear from me again.
It took a lot of fight to stop believing the lies.
Believe in Who I am
It took others believing in me and putting that belief into action. It took a pastor’s wife who believed I would make a good pastor’s wife. And then putting that into action by introducing me to my future husband.
Marrying a pastor somehow gave me license to believe in myself. Maybe, just maybe, as a pastor’s wife, people would care about what I have to say. Maybe, just maybe, I could share the love of God with others as I learned to love myself as God loved me.
I finally realized that I am his little princess and he sees me AND loves me. He really loves me. Believing in Who I Am: Mandy and Michele blog #self-esteem Share on XTaking Steps to Believe
As the years went by, the struggle got easier. I was brave enough to lead in many, many ways. I had the courage to direct church choirs and children’s musicals, homeschool my children (through high school), lead women’s ministries, start a homeschool support group for our county, and even lead adult Bible Studies …
My husband and I worked together hand-in-hand, heart-to-heart leading congregations for 25 years. Until we were blind-sided by Satan.
Blind-sided by Satan’s Lies
Then in 2015, we suddenly found ourselves in a new place. We were no longer in full-time ministry. Standing at the threshold of a different life. Not entirely of our own choosing. Our identities stripped away, our pride stripped away, and our dignity destroyed. There was nowhere to look but up – to Jesus, the author, and finisher of our faith, … (Hebrews 12:2)
Satan tried to defeat me, dredging up old lies of unworthiness. Asking questions in my ear such as, “Who are you now?”
And then He tried to answer his question with a lie,
“You are nothing. No longer a pastor’s wife. So you no longer have anything to say to people. You can no longer encourage women and children in their faith. You are just a sorry, old woman … and FAT too.”
Yes. Recent health issues and medications, things beyond my control, have contributed to that.
But I know that these are lies and I will NOT allow Satan to push me down and keep me there. The Book of Proverbs reminds me that “though a righteous man falls seven times, he will rise again.” And Psalms 145 says “The Lord helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads.”
You see, I know, what I know.
And that is my identity does not come from what I do.
My identity comes from Whose I am.
I’m a child of the King.
Indeed, I am a princess. And the King loves His little princess.
That is who I am!
Satan, "Do you know who you are dealing with here? You are already defeated, so you may as well turn tail and run… Believing in Who I Am, Mandy and Michele #self-esteem #satanisaliar Share on X
P.S. If you struggle with this same feeling of unworthiness. Continue reading thess articles, Loved or Unloved and Are We Worthy? Do We Have Value?
Pastor’s Wife (retired) & Chronic Pain Warrior blogs about how to make it through anything by relating her own life experiences to her writing. She is passionate about her love for the Lord and desires to spread that passion to others. She has a great desire to encourage women who are following behind her.
Oh, Mandy, I have struggled with some of the same issues, but when we realize that He makes us worthy it changes our whole perspective. “My identity comes from Whose I am.” No longer do we have to try to prove that we are worthy or able or beautiful, because we know we belong to God. Blessings to you!
That song is oh so good. I was teased as a young child for being a crybaby etc. I’ve learned that I’m definitely one of God’s beloved. Sometimes though the world and our own doubts get in the way.
You are royalty. You are a princess! I love this! I love that you recognize a lie when you hear it! I like to pray God please expose all the lies I’ve been believing! The truth sets us free, and the truth is we are chosen by him! Thank you for sharing your heart!
Thanks for sharing your heart. God has you on a brand new path. Keep sharing your heart as your words will bless many.
Thanks for dropping by and giving me a blessing!
Yes. Satan loves to lie to us like that. For me its the hardest thing to fight off.