Sparrows and Hair loss

Finding the right balance between feeling valued as a human being and becoming an entitled narcissist is not all that simple. Our culture preaches self-love to us constantly, yet millions of people live with insecurity, trying desperately to prove their worthiness. Some pursue beauty, others chase recognition. Some buy latest fashions, while others turn themselves into virtual slaves- people pleasers- in attempts to gain acceptance.

We have turned into a nation of perpetually offended people who are carefully trying to guard ourselves from those who fail to show the respect we feel we deserve. Our national obsession with self-esteem has given us layers of laws that are supposed to protect us from hateful words and actions. And still, we have this epidemic of anxiety about our personal worth.

Christian, we can lay down our defenses, stop clamoring for people to love us, and find security in being loved deeply by God! Jesus said "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." (Matthew 10:29-31, NIV) Think hard about that statement. God knows YOU, loves You, cares about YOU.  It’s not a cliché nor is that a greeting card kind of sentiment. It is a baseline fact which can radically change the way we live.

Seeing our human plight, God did not hide in His Heavens. He entered the Creation, mysteriously and wonderfully becoming fully Man, to suffer with us, to save us from destruction. Why? "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8, NIV) We cannot add anything to His Complete Person, nor could we do anything for Him that He could not do for Himself. It is love that causes Him to come alongside of us, to offer us restoration, to give us eternal life. When we receive that love, by faith, everything changes.

Paul prays for Believers this way.  I pray "that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." (Ephesians 3:17-19, NIV)  That is the heart of God: to love us and to have us know His love so that we will be drawn to become like Him in love.  John says it simply – “We loved because He loved us first.”

Does shame or guilt destroy your sense of personal value? Let Jesus forgive.

Does failure dog your thoughts making you wonder if you are worthy? Trust God, through Jesus, to give you a new vision.

Do others point out your flaws, bringing the pain of rejection? Tell the Lord and meditate on His promise of unconditional love.

Do you hate yourself? Bathe your mind and heart in the promise of His love, letting Him heal you.

Here is a word from the Word. May the Spirit turn the written Word into a living truth for us, making us whole and beautiful for Him. "What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we’re called children of God! That’s who we really are. But that’s also why the world doesn’t recognize us or take us seriously, because it has no idea who he is or what he’s up to. But friends, that’s exactly who we are: children of God. And that’s only the beginning. Who knows how we’ll end up! What we know is that when Christ is openly revealed, we’ll see him—and in seeing him, become like him. All of us who look forward to his Coming stay ready, with the glistening purity of Jesus’ life as a model for our own. " (1 John 3:1-3, The Message)
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You Say

I keep fighting voices in my mind

That say I'm not enough

Ev'ry single lie that tells me

I will never measure up

Am I more than just the sum of

Ev'ry high and ev'ry low

Remind me once again just who I am

Because I need to know oo oh

You say I am loved when I can't feel a thing

You say I am strong when I think I am weak

You say I am held when I am falling short

And when I don't belong oh You say I am Yours

And I believe oh I believe

What You say of me I believe

The only thing that matters now

Is ev'rything You think of me

In You I find my worth

In You I find my identity

Taking all I have and now I'm laying it at Your feet

You'll have ev'ry failure God

You'll have ev'ry victory

Oh I believe yes I believe

What You say of me I believe

Jason Ingram | Lauren Daigle | Paul Mabury

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