Encouragement for Today - Dec. 10, 2008
December 10, 2008
God Does Not Make Mistakes
Lara L. O’Brien, She Speaks Graduate
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:27 (NIV)
Devotion
Have you ever felt like one of those toys from the Land of the Misfit Toys in “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer?” Boy, I sure have! Growing up, an overwhelming sadness haunted me. Inferiority and worthlessness were constant companions and I wondered if God had been sleeping on the job when He created me. Those feelings manifested themselves in a deep depression.
By the time I was a teenager, anorexia consumed me and I was determined to destroy myself. Because my life felt so out of control I needed something I could control. In my case, it was what I did or did not put in my mouth.
Years spent in my anorexic prison molded my self-image into one of self-hatred. Why would anyone want to be with me? Why am I here? Do I even want to live anymore? These were just a few of the questions that constantly bounced around in my head. Feeling like a square peg in a round hole, I quite honestly wanted to die. The pain of day-to-day living was so hard for me.
Despite being surrounded by amazing family and friends who loved me, I believed many things that were not true. I whole-heartedly believed I was a mistake. I believed I could get the affirmation I desired from guys, most whom were abusive towards me. I believed I was worth nothing and deserved the hits, scratches, and horrible, hateful words. I thought they were my rightful punishment.
Growing up I believed something else too…I believed in God. But did I believe Him? Did I believe all His wonderful promises were meant for me personally? Did I believe God could love me when I was such an absolute mess?
After years of depression, suicide attempts, abusive dating relationships, and starvation, I had an encounter with my Savior. I met God with my pain and messy, mixed-up life and He met me with His love and acceptance. He showed me I was His child, made in His own image. The Lord also led me to an amazing Christian counselor. Revisiting my painful past through counseling was a hard journey, but well worth it. I felt God’s infinite healing and love for me, and for the first time I began to believe that God had a plan and a purpose for my life.
The Lord is now using my life and experiences for His good. I have a passion to minister His healing and love through written and spoken words to those who suffer or have suffered as I did. How about you? Are you hurting? Do you feel worthless and like you do not matter? Please don’t. You are not a misfit toy.
A friend once told me that if God had a refrigerator, my photo would be on it. Your picture would too! God loves you so much and created you in His beautiful image. His Word says you are made with love. Choose today to believe it.
Dear Lord, I pray for those who are hurting and who believe that they do not matter. Please meet them in the middle of their pain, and shower Your love and affection over them. Thank You that You created all of us in Your wonderful image. You never make mistakes. We praise You for that. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know the Healer of All Wounds?
Your Scars are Beautiful to God by Sharon Jaynes
Shaped with Purpose CD and companion Workbook by Renee Swope
His Princess, Love Letters from Your King by Sherri Rose Shepherd
Application Steps:
1. Dive into God’s Word…His love letter to you, His child. Let His love for you
pour off the pages into your heart.
2. Keep a journal. Writing is a wonderful way to express your feelings.
3. Talk to God…He loves you and wants to hear from you.
4. Seek godly professional help if you need it. Please do not feel ashamed to do that.
Reflections:
What experience or situation caused you to feel the way that you do (or did) about yourself?
In light of God’s Word, do you now believe how special you are to Him?
Power Verses:
Psalm 139:13-14, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (NIV)
1 Timothy 4:4, “For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.” (NIV)
Colossians 1:16, “For by him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.” (NIV)
© 2008 by Lara L. O’Brien. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G,
Matthews, NC 28105
