Tag Archives: god loves me no matter what

Being An Open Book

I’ve heard some people say they’re an open book, while I’ve known others who are very private people. No matter where you fall on that spectrum, there are two things I’ve found. We all wear a mask to some degree. We put it on when we are around others. We show them a person we think others will like. We also have a part of ourselves that’s hidden. It’s the part we don’t show others because we think if others knew this about us, they may not like us or think poorly of us. It’s where we hide our fears, insecurities and hidden sins. Even if we’re great at hiding it from others, God sees it, and He still loves you.

In John 4, Jesus was tired from walking and stopped at a well. The disciples left Him there while they went to find food. Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water by herself. To her surprise, Jesus then asked her for a drink. She reminded Him that Jews despise people like her, He then hinted at who He was. After some conversation, He told her to go get her husband, to which she replied that she didn’t have one. He responded by telling her how many times she had been married and was living with a man. He showed He knew what was hidden and loved her still. She then ran into town telling everyone to come and see a man who knew everything about her. They all came to meet Him and He stayed there a couple of days bringing many to the faith.

Psalm 139:1-2 says, “Lord, you know everything there is to know about me. You perceive every movement of my heart and soul, and you understand my every thought before it even enters my mind” (TPT). God sees all the hidden places of your heart and life. He knows everything about you and still loves you. The psalmist continues in verse 17, “Every single moment you are thinking of me! How precious and wonderful to consider that you cherish me constantly in your every thought!“ You don’t have to be afraid or think that He would love you any less. Let Him come in, examine those areas and forgive or heal those parts of your life. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You are known and loved as an open book to God.

Photo by Mohammadreza Charkhgard on Unsplash

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Feeling Loved

Have you ever felt unloved? It’s a tough place to be in. I believe feeling loved is one of our basic needs. When we’ve been rejected and feel unloved, we begin to shut down and withdrawal. I’ve been in that place before wondering what was wrong with me. I’ve read where there was an experiment with babies. The nurses gave love and attention to half the newborns in the experiment and only gave milk to the others. The ones who were loved thrived and were healthy. The ones who weren’t became sick and some died. There is an innate need for love in all of us. It’s important to know where to get that need filled as well.

In Daniel 10, he was given his final vision. In it he saw a man standing near a river who he describes as so powerful his strength left his body. This being lifted him up and said, “Daniel, God loves you. Stand up and listen carefully to what I am going to say. I have been sent to you” (GNT). It’s incredible that his first words were to remind Daniel that he was loved. Daniel again felt weak as the angel spoke to him. Verse 19 says the angel came over and said, “‘God loves you, so don’t let anything worry you or frighten you.’ When he had said this, I felt even stronger and said, ‘Sir, tell me what you have to say. You have made me feel better.’”

Feeling loved changes everything and gives us strength. I want you to know today that God loves you. It is a deeper, more complete love than you could ever feel or receive from another person. When we’re feeling unloved, and even unlovable, we need to remind ourselves that God loves us despite how far we’ve run or even what we’ve done. His love for us isn’t based on anything we’ve done or will do. He loves you simply because He created you and you’re His child. You need to let that sink into your spirit and mind today. I’m linking a song by Jon Gibson that is catchy and will play over and over in your mind to remind you that God loves you. If you’re struggling with feeling loved today, listen to it and let it saturate your mind and spirit.

Photo by Alexei Maridashvili on Unsplash

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Giving Up Guilt

When I was younger I did a lot more things that were unwise. In one particular instance, my friend and I decided to build a campfire in the woods. It wasn’t long before it was bigger than we could handle. We didn’t want to tell our parents what we had done so we avoided them and tried to get help from my friend’s brother. The water hose wouldn’t reach and we eventually had to tell my friend’s mom who called the fire department. That night, I felt bad and was afraid of my dad finding out. Because of my guilty conscience, I avoided being around him. I don’t even remember what he did when he found out. I just remember trying to not cross paths with him because of what i had done.

That same guilty conscience has a way of showing up in my spiritual life too. When I sin or mess up, i act like Adam and Eve. I try to hide from God. I avoid my prayer time because I’m embarrassed. Even though I’ve asked for forgiveness, there’s a period of time where I allow my shame to keep myself out of His presence. I know I’m not the only one who does this. We all do to some extent. We somehow think our failures and sins disqualify us from being children of God, even after we’ve repented. Even though God has forgiven them and forgotten them, somehow we can’t.

I find hope in 1 John 3:20. It says, “Whenever our hearts make us feel guilty and remind us of our failures, we know that God is much greater and more merciful than our conscience, and he knows everything there is to know about us” (TPT). God knows everything about us including our thoughts…and He still loves us and calls us His children. If you struggle with this like i do, it’s time to forgive yourself because God already has. You are still His child and worthy of being in His presence. Don’t diminish the work Jesus did on the cross by thinking your sin is somehow stronger than the blood He shed. It’s time to Forgive yourself. God isn’t looking for perfection from you. He understands your human condition and loves you no matter what you’ve done. Find your freedom today and get back in His presence.

Photo by Joshua Earle on Unsplash

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