Why is it so hard to believe...

That we are indeed beautiful?

Are we just so used to cutting ourselves down?

Are we just used to hearing lies from others?

Why is it so easy to believe...

That we don't fit in?

That we aren't good enough?

That we are ugly?

"Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me." That's a lie too. They do hurt. And if you are someone whose #1 love language is Words of Affirmation (written or spoken), like me, then you know that names and words do hurt.

I received a phone call today at work from a woman who knew the Truth, yet she believed the lies. Her own husband was using words to defeat her and she was buying into it. She was heart broken. She asked if I would pray for her. She was at the end of her rope and she didn't have the strength. She was sobbing. As the Holy Spirit began to speak God's Word and God's Truth to her through me...I know it was the Holy Spirit, because I could never have spoken the way I did, I amazed myself at the Scriptures that came to mind and the words of encouragement that poured from my mouth...it was all God. I promise you this woman was so thirsty and I could just imagine her drinking the Living Water as she realized who she was in Christ. When we hung up, I thought, I needed to hear all of that from God too! As I was telling this sweet woman how amazing she is in God's eyes, I realized that way too often, even though I know these Truths, I don't live like it. I don't think about them enough.

If you are reading this, please know...You are indeed beautiful. You are a magnificent creation that God chose to put on this Earth. Your circumstances do not define you. Other people cannot decide who you are. And if the words of another are in conflict with the Word of God, they they are lies. Don't allow yourself to believe them. And I won't either:)

I naturally tend to believe the worst about myself. Left to myself, I can get down rather easily. By surrounding myself with people who build me up and desire the best for me, I'm reminded that what I'm dwelling on is not the truth. Notice I said "naturally". Naturally being just me, Melissa, I may not be capable of much. But there is He Who is living inside of me that is great enough to conquer and overcome anything.

I'd like to change my thought life. Beginning today. I'd love for you to join me. The next time I catch myself "believing" something other that the absolute truth about myself, I will stop and pray. I'm going to select one verse a week to meditate on that tells me who I am in Christ.

The first verse I'm picking is an oldie but a goodie (ha! they are really all oldies but goodies I guess) It's 2 Corinthians 5:17- "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"

So with that, this new beautiful creation, made in the image of God, is out of here! Let's remember that we are indeed New Creations and let's think like one who is thankful and grateful for the life she's been given!

Blessings Beautiful Creations,

Melissa