Uniquely YOU!

Think about this…Before you were born, GOD designed YOU to fulfill a specific role in the world. He knit you together with specific gifts and strengths. There is no one else that God will ever use to fill the places HE has uniquely designed for YOU. Without the story of YOUR life, God’s own eternal book would be missing a cherished chapter.

You are one of a kind. Rare. Distinctive. Completely Irreplaceable.

You are Loved and made with a purpose for God’s glory!

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works;

my soul knows it very well.~Psalm 139:14

When David wrote these words, he was not boasting in himself, but rather rejoicing and expressing thankfulness over the beautiful creation that GOD made in him.

So…let’s do that! Express a specific character quality or physical quality that show HIS Marvelous unique handiwork in YOU. Be as specific as you want!

It may “feel” a little awkward, but don’t let that stop you from giving praise to the one who made YOU…He is Worthy!

I’ll go first…

Thank you for how you have created me to cry easily. I know that means you have made my heart compassionate, caring, and sensitive to others.

Thank you, Lord for the way you created my hair. I love how I can wear it curly or straight. I’m even thankful for the gray hair I find, Lord, because it reminds me how many years you have been faithful to love and protect me.

What "Good" are Trials?

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." ~Romans 8:28


I've been really sad this week for my friend. I've been feeling fearful too. I've even asked God, "Why?" I've also asked God for a miracle...to turn this whole sad situation around.

So now, I wait. I wait and I pray. I know God will answer. It may not be the answer I'm hoping for but HE has an answer...and the thought of can tempt me to be more sad and more afraid.

Have you ever been here? Have you ever had to fight for faith? Faith to believe that however God answers...it will be the right answer. HE is perfect and never makes mistakes. HE is good even when circumstances are not. Do you believe that as truth?

This is where your faith becomes real, ladies. In the trials of life, will you trust God? Will you bless HIS name when HE takes away or gives you a different answer than hoped for?

Scripture says to consider it all JOY when trials come. How is that possible? I know its NOT possible apart from the Holy Spirit working in our sad or fearful heart. HE provides comfort, peace, strength, and grace to overcome any fear or worry. God promises to never give you more than you can handle...He will be with you!

In James 1, it says, the testing of your faith develops perseverance-which means: "the ability to press on through hard times". So from this Scripture we can see trials cause you to persevere and mature (grow) in your faith...and that's "a good" you can always find in any trial that comes your way.

~Have you ever asked God, "Why?"
~Do you think through your own trials, you are learning to persevere and grow in faith?

The IPod of your mind

Have you ever stopped and thought how you are in constant dialogue with yourself? I mean think about it...your thoughts are one of the primary influences over you. We never stop talking to ourselves! So whats are your thoughts saying to you?

You can choose your self-talk just like you choose what songs to put on your iPod. When you listen to a song over and over, you'll eventually memorize it word for word. You may even find yourself singing the words in your mind without even realizing it. In the same way, whatever self-talk you replay in your mind becomes what you listen to.

If your self-talk is negative, you can struggle feeling insecure, accepted, defeated, and even loved. As young ladies, your emotions are God-given, and will be used for much good in your life. However, emotions can also trick you into believing lies. When negatives talk or negative emotions come into your mind, you can't let yourself go there because if you give them an inch, they'll take you a mile. Overtime, you begin to BELIEVE your negative self talk and play it over and over again on the iPod of your mind.

It is important that your self-talk agrees with what God says about you. When you tell yourself what God says about you, you tell yourself the truth. Regardless of how your emotions  "feel". Filling your mind with God's word will fill your mind with truth and hope.  And that's a song we'll never get tired of listening to.

~What kind of "self-talk" do you tend to hear replayed on the IPod of your mind?

~When you're feeling sad, lonely, depressed, or insecure, what lies are you believing?

~What tools has God given you to turn away or fight against  your negative "self-talk"?